Thu, May 30, 2024
Can I Drive a Bus on a Cat C Licence?
There has been considerable debate and speculation within the industry regarding whether a bus can be driven with an HGV Category C license. Some websites claim that it is possible, while others assert that a bus license must be obtained first. Yes, you can drive buses with a Category C license, but there are restrictions and limits based on circumstances. In this article, we explore this subject in greater detail and aim to distinguish between myths and reality.
Buses That Can Be Driven with a Full Category C License
If you hold a full Category C (LGV) driving license, you are permitted to drive large buses under specific conditions, provided you have held the license for at least two years. The conditions are as follows:
- The vehicle is damaged or faulty and is being driven to a place for repair, or is being road-tested after repair.
- The vehicle is not used for carrying any person who is not connected with repairing or road-testing it.
Understanding the Cat C Licence
A holder of a Category C driving license has passed a car driving test and then progressed to HGV commercial vehicles by passing the HGV Category C driving test. A Category C license allows the holder to drive any rigid vehicle (where the cab and trailer are permanently fixed together) with a Gross Weight (GW) exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not more than 32 tonnes. A trailer may be towed with a Category C license; however, it cannot exceed 750 kg. This type of goods vehicle is by far the most common form of truck on the UK’s highways.
What Can You Drive with a Cat C Licence?
Detailed List of Vehicles That a Category C License Permits You to Drive:
- Rigid vehicles with a Gross Weight (GW) exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not more than 32 tonnes.
- A trailer may be towed, but it cannot exceed 750 kg.
Additional Entitlements with a Category C License:
- Passing a Category C driving test grants the holder additional entitlements, such as the C1 license.
- The C1 license allows the holder to drive goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes. The reason for this is that the C1 is classified as a smaller vehicle compared to the Category C.
- To obtain an HGV license, one must have passed the car driving test.
Common Types of Category C Vehicles:
- The Category C license is the most popular form of heavy goods transport today. Typical types of Category C trucks include tippers, skips, road sweepers, and scaffold trucks.
Clarification on Whether a Category C License Allows You to Drive a Minibus:
- A minibus may be driven with a standard car license as long as it has no more than 8 passenger seats and a Gross Weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
- To drive a passenger-carrying vehicle with more than 8 but no more than 16 passenger seats, a D1 license must be obtained.
Can I Drive a Bus on a Cat C Licence?
Buses (Category D) that can be driven with a full Category C (LGV) license are subject to specific conditions. To drive large buses with a Category C license, you must have held the license for at least two years. The vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- It is damaged or faulty and being driven to a place for repair, or is being road-tested after repair.
- It is not used for carrying any person who is not connected with repairing or road-testing it.
There are no other circumstances under which driving a bus with an HGV Category C license is permitted. If you do not meet this criterion and still wish to drive a Category D vehicle, you must:
- Complete a medical examination.
- Apply for a provisional Category D license.
- Pass relevant theory tests.
- Successfully complete the driving test.
A Category D license is primarily for passenger-carrying vehicles with more than 16 passenger seats.
What Category is a Bus Driving Licence ?
1. D1 License: This category pertains to smaller buses. It is designed for individuals who will drive minibuses with more than 8 seats but not exceeding 16 passenger seats.
2. Cat D License: This category encompasses larger vehicles with more than 16 passenger seats. Obtaining a Cat D license also automatically grants D1 entitlement.
- The processes for obtaining both D1 and Cat D licenses are similar, involving several steps:
- Begin with a basic medical examination and formal application to the DVLA for the provisional D1 or D license.
- Upon receipt of approval from the DVLA, study and pass the theory tests, including the multiple-choice, hazard perception, and Driver CPC case study tests. Adequate study is key to success in these assessments.
- Module 3 involves the driving test, which is undertaken following the completion of theory tests.
- Finally, after passing Module 3, the practical CPC test (Module 4) must be successfully completed to obtain the license.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Vehicles Can I Drive with a Class 2 License?
With a Class 2 license, you are permitted to drive goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 32 tonnes. Additionally, you can drive C1 vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes.
Can I Drive a Minibus on a Cat C License?
You can drive a minibus with a standard car license, provided it has no more than 8 passenger seats.
What License Do I Need to Drive a Bus in the UK?
To drive a bus with more than 16 passenger seats in the UK, you must obtain a Category D license. This entails undergoing a medical examination, passing theory tests, and completing a practical driving test specific to Category D vehicles.
How Do I Upgrade My License to Drive a Bus?
To upgrade your license in the UK to drive buses, you must first complete a medical examination, apply for a provisional license, pass theory tests, successfully pass the driving test for the specific category (Cat D), and acquire the Driver CPC qualification.
Conclusion
It's an intriguing discussion regarding driving a bus with an HGV license, as in practice, they are essentially the same type of vehicle in terms of size, handling, and other characteristics. The primary distinction lies in buses having seats while goods vehicles have a load compartment. One could argue that passing the Cat C automatically grants the Cat D license (and vice versa), as they are essentially equivalent.
However, the government and DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) have categorized buses and trucks as separate entities, requiring each license type to undergo distinct testing procedures. Some may perceive this as a revenue-generating scheme for the government, as obtaining both licenses results in double income for the DVSA.
Nevertheless, exemptions exist, as it is indeed possible to drive a bus with an HGV license under certain conditions, such as when the bus is damaged or faulty and being driven to a repair facility, or when it is undergoing road-testing after repair, provided it is not used for carrying passengers unrelated to the repair or testing process.
We trust that this post has provided a clearer understanding of the possibilities surrounding driving a bus with an HGV license.
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