Recommendations for where to acquire C1 driving license

[Jonny193]

Hi all,

This forum has already been invaluable so thought I'd ask another silly question to get some opinions on.

I need to obtain my C1 driving license and I'd had between £200-£400 as a cost for this. However, the companies I am reaching out to are quoting MINIMUM £1,200 which just seems obscenely high.

Any recommendations on how to go about this?

Thanks

 

[Phill D]

I believe £1k to &1.5k is the norm.

I think your £200 to £400 was extremely optimistic, where did you get that estimate?

 

[Gromett]

I did mine in 2005 and it cost £700 back then.

 

[PaulW2]

Hi all,

This forum has already been invaluable so thought I'd ask another silly question to get some opinions on.

I need to obtain my C1 driving license and I'd had between £200-£400 as a cost for this. However, the companies I am reaching out to are quoting MINIMUM £1,200 which just seems obscenely high.

Any recommendations on how to go about this?

Thanks

As others have said I think it will be very difficult to manage at that price. I would probably also just go for the C licence. Same cost, training, theory, just with a bigger vehicle.

 

[Gromett]

As others have said I think it will be very difficult to manage at that price. I would probably also just go for the C licence. Same cost, training, theory, just with a bigger vehicle.

C1 is easier as you can do it in a van which is more representative of a motorhome.

I have done both separately and the C1 is easier.

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[Jonny193]

I believe £1k to &1.5k is the norm.

I think your £200 to £400 was extremely optimistic, where did you get that estimate?

Cheers, Phill - a dealer on the show floor which probably explains that then haha!

As others have said I think it will be very difficult to manage at that price. I would probably also just go for the C licence. Same cost, training, theory, just with a bigger vehicle.

Thanks Paul, I'll look into it but as I wasn't anticipating driving any larger vehicles I'd kind of written it off. Just want to get in and get it done

 

[Jonny193]

C1 is easier as you can do it in a van which is more representative of a motorhome.

I have done both separately and the C1 is easier.

This was my thinking too, appreciate that

 

[PaulW2]

C1 is easier as you can do it in a van which is more representative of a motorhome.

I have done both separately and the C1 is easier.

But not then twice as expensive?

 

[fifthwheel]

I cant answer your question but is it possible to do it yourself?

 

[Jonny193]

I cant answer your question but is it possible to do it yourself?

I'd thought about this, I'd want a few hours with someone though to teach me what the examiner is going to want during the practical.

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[Gromett]

But not then twice as expensive?

C was more expensive than the C1 for me. But there was 10 year gap. I went for C in 2015.

I cant answer your question but is it possible to do it yourself?

I would say not if you want to pass. Much harder than car test. Especially harsh on making progress, mirrors and road positioning. (From memory)

 

[Gromett]

Plus you have to have a suitable vehicle to take the test in with insurance etc. The examiner will not be happy if you don't have all the correct equipment (mirrors etc)

 

[knokinonabit]

Cheers, Phill - a dealer on the show floor which probably explains that then haha!

Wasn't someone on the Etrusco stand by any chance

 

[nicholsong]

As others have said I think it will be very difficult to manage at that price. I would probably also just go for the C licence. Same cost, training, theory, just with a bigger vehicle.

Only problem could be, that according to age, one has to do medicals more frequently.

C1 is easier as you can do it in a van which is more representative of a motorhome.

I have done both separately and the C1 is easier.

I may be wrong but I thought that the vehicle had to be GVW 4.0t plus. Not many vans around at that are there with relevant equipment for the test? Or do some C1 courses supply them?

 

[tonka]

Only problem could be, that according to age, one has to do medicals more frequently.


I may be wrong but I thought that the vehicle had to be GVW 4.0t plus. Not many vans around at that are there with relevant equipment for the test? Or do some C1 courses supply them?

Seen quiet a few around our area, they use sprinters with twin rear wheels rated up to 5000kg.

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[nicholsong]

Separate post because a different tack.

My OH does not have C1. When we were at the N&B factory a couple of years ago they had a course available where one could take the test in a MH, but we never got enquiring into how that test in Germany could qualify for having C1 put on her Polish driving licence.

Any advice from similar circumstances.

 

[Gromett]

Only problem could be, that according to age, one has to do medicals more frequently.

I think the medical for C1 and C are the same.

I may be wrong but I thought that the vehicle had to be GVW 4.0t plus. Not many vans around at that are there with relevant equipment for the test? Or do some C1 courses supply them?

Plenty of panel vans around even up to 7T. Iveco do a Daily at 7t

The C1 course I took near York had a panel van which was exactly like driving my motorhome. 1.5 days training followed by a test on the afternoon of the 2nd day.

 

[Nigel P]

I'd thought about this, I'd want a few hours with someone though to teach me what the examiner is going to want during the practical.

​

​

Rules for all types of lorries​

All vehicles used for category C1, C1E, C and CE tests must be capable of 50mph.

They must be fitted with:

• L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• 2 sets of externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors - one for the driver and one for the examiner
• seat belts fitted to seats used by the examiner or any person supervising the test
• a tachograph
• an anti-lock braking system (ABS) - trailers do not need to be fitted with ABS

A tractor unit is not a suitable vehicle for a category C or C1 test.
All trailer cargo compartments must be:

• of a closed box construction
• at least as high and wide as the towing vehicle

For C1E the trailer may be slightly less wide than the towing vehicle, but the view to the rear must be by the use of external mirrors only.

Rules for medium-sized lorries: categories C1 and C1E​

A category C1 vehicle is a medium-sized lorry:

• with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least 4 tonnes
• at least 5 metres long
• with a closed box cargo compartment at least as wide and as high as the cab

MAM is the maximum weight of the vehicle including the maximum load that can be carried safely while used on the road. This is also known as ‘gross vehicle weight’.

 

[namwaldog]

I often see this firm, based near Carlisle Airport, driving through the City.

The web page sets out their fees, etc. Looks to be about £1150 Inc VAT and the test.

C1 Licence - SP Training

Find out everything you need to know about the Cat C1 Licence! From what it is, how to train for it and how much it costs. What is a Cat C1 Licence? The C1 driving licence covers driving a rigid vehicle of up to 7.5 tonnes and a trailer of up to 750kg. Obtaining...

www.sptraininguk.com

 

[nicholsong]

Seen quiet a few around our area, they use sprinters with twin rear wheels rated up to 5000kg.

But do they have the equipment to qualify for the test with an examiner?

I think the medical for C1 and C are the same.


Plenty of panel vans around even up to 7T. Iveco do a Daily at 7t

The C1 course I took near York had a panel van which was exactly like driving my motorhome. 1.5 days training followed by a test on the afternoon of the 2nd day.

Karl

Yes the medicals are the same but I was referring to the frequency. I believe to keep a C licence you have to have medicals from about 45 and after 70 every year, wheras for a C1 it is not required until 70 and then every 3 years.

As for the van for the course it was probably fitted out by the school for the test.

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[FrankNicklin]

I have Grandfather rights for my C1, but was looking at this for my Daughter. I've just been on the D4Drivers site and saw that, in their words,

From January 1997 drivers must have a medical when applying for a provisional licence for the C1 category and must renew their medical every 5 years from 45 up to 65, then annually from 65.

I was aware of the need for a medical in order to apply for a C1 but I did not realise that from the age of 45 years up to 65 you must renew your medical every 5 years and then after 65 every year until the age of 70 where you need to re-apply for your C1. I thought that the medical only applied after 70 years of age and quite shocked its every 5 years above 45.

 

[PaulW2]

Yes the medicals are the same but I was referring to the frequency. I believe to keep a C licence you have to have medicals from about 45 and after 70 every year, wheras for a C1 it is not required until 70 and then every 3 years.

I don't think so. The C1 provisions you are referring to are those which apply to those who have pre-1997 grandfathered rights.
For those who acquire the licence after 1997 the medical requirements for C and C1 are the same - same test, same frequency. After 65 it's annual.

 

[lorger]

Depending where you are based, this might be of use to you. It's a local company to me and has a very good name locally, I use them several times a year for our operators and have no issues with them.


Says its normally under £1k

Class C1/7.5 tonne vehicle - Nithcree Training

This course enables you to drive a 7.5 tonne lorry (also known as C1). You will need to hold a full car licence and a provisional C1 licence to take this course.

www.nithcreetraining.co.uk

 

[Gromett]

Yes the medicals are the same but I was referring to the frequency.

The frequency is the same for both C1 and C for any post 1997 licence holder like myself. I let mine lapse when I was 45 because I no longer had a 4.5T motorhome or a 7T bus.

 

[PaulW2]

The frequency is the same for both C1 and C for any post 1997 licence holder like myself. I let mine lapse when I was 45 because I no longer had a 4.5T motorhome or a 7T bus.

Do you know if you can get it back if the need arises, or is it gone once you've let it lapse?

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[Gromett]

Do you know if you can get it back if the need arises, or is it gone once you've let it lapse?

I presume I could get it back by taking the medical. I have just a 10 year renewal since then and it is not on my license at all.
I do however still have my C1 pass certificate somewhere.

 

[pappajohn]

Many HGV driving schools are nothing more than booking agents. You have no say where the lessons/test will be taken.....and of course the cost will be higher.
Try to find an actual school who deal with you start to finish.
If you're in the midlands google "The Data Academy"
The owner was a member of this forum and the sister forum RVOC.
They will assess and tell you in the first lesson if you should give up or not.
Extremely high pass rate and will retest if you fail..

 

[Gromett]

Many HGV driving schools are nothing more than booking agents. You have no say where the lessons/test will be taken.....and of course the cost will be higher.
Try to find an actual school who deal with you start to finish.
If you're in the midlands google "The Data Academy"
The owner was a member of this forum and the sister forum RVOC.
They will assess and tell you in the first lesson if you should give up or not.
Extremely high pass rate and will retest if you fail..

Completely agree with this. Avoid the agencies they are a scam/ripoff.

I also agree with "The Data Academy" if you are near Leicester.

If you are further up north, Then Tockwith Training school (name might have changed) were excellent and got me through the C1 easily without fuss.
They even allowed me to park my motorhome on their car park for the duration.

 

[nicholsong]

I don't think so. The C1 provisions you are referring to are those which apply to those who have pre-1997 grandfathered rights.
For those who acquire the licence after 1997 the medical requirements for C and C1 are the same - same test, same frequency. After 65 it's annual.

Thanks I knew roughly the rules for C licences but did not know they also applied to C1 holders who take a test instead of 'grandfather' rights.

For a MHomer or couple if they want to tour extensively then there is a need to consider when is the best time of year to take that first medical to not interfer with travels at renewal time, firstly for the one doing annual medicals and secondly to coordinate for the other half when a 3-year renewal comes around.

I suppose to get the dates right one or other could let their license lapse for a period, with the other doing the driving during the lapse.

If it is an annual renewal, does one have to submit a D2 and the medical D4? If just a D4 and they were travelling in Europe it would be possible to download that and get any European Dr. to fill the form, but getting hold off the D2 is more difficult, unless one takes a stock of them when leaving UK.

 

[gus-lopez]

I was aware of the need for a medical in order to apply for a C1 but I did not realise that from the age of 45 years up to 65 you must renew your medical every 5 years and then after 65 every year until the age of 70 where you need to re-apply for your C1. I thought that the medical only applied after 70 years of age and quite shocked its every 5 years above 45.

I have grandfather rights but exchanged licence for a spanish one 22 years ago. I had to take a medical every 5 years for retaining C1E. If you only have a car it is every 10 years.
The rules are from when UK was in the EU

The C1 provisions you are referring to are those which apply to those who have pre-1997 grandfathered rights

as above. No idea why Poland is different?