You need to apply for the correct provisional entitlements on your driving licence and include a medical report to become a lorry or bus driver.

You'll then need to pass:

• theory and hazard perception tests
• the practical driving test

You’ll also need to complete the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) if you want to drive a bus or lorry for a living.

For driver licensing, lorries are called Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and buses or coaches are called Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs).

For driver licensing, lorries are called Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and buses or coaches are called Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs).

Before you can train to become a LGV or PCV driver you must normally be aged over 18 and hold a full car licence (category B entitlement).

There are some exceptions to the age limit - check which vehicle categories you can drive.

You'll then need to add the right provisional entitlements to your licence before you can take your tests.

The type of driving licence entitlement you need depends on the 'maximum authorised mass' (MAM) of the vehicle you want to drive.

The MAM is the total vehicle weight plus the maximum load it can carry:

• vehicles with a MAM of more than 3.5 tonnes but no more than 7.5 tonnes need a C1 licence
• vehicles with a MAM of more than 7.5 tonnes need a category C licence

To add a trailer entitlement (+E) to your licence, you'll need to hold the full entitlement for the vehicle before you take the trailer test.

Example

To drive an articulated vehicle, you need to pass category C, and then pass category C+E to get the correct licence.

You'll automatically lose your LGV or PCV licence if you lose your car licence entitlement.

Minibus, bus and lorry drivers passing a driving test from 19 January 2013

If you pass your driving test in categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E after 19 January 2013 you’ll get a licence valid for 5 years.

Every 5 years up to age 45, you’ll need to sign a declaration to show you still meet the medical standards.

After age 45, you’ll need to provide a medical examination report every 5 years to renew your driving entitlement.

Minibus, bus and lorry drivers before 19 January 2013

Drivers under 45 years old

If you passed a driving test in 1 of the categories below, you’ll come under the new rules when you renew your driving licence.

The categories affected are C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E.

When you renew your licence, you’ll receive a licence valid for 5 years. Every time you renew you’ll need to confirm you still meet the medical standards.

If you apply to replace your licence because it is lost or stolen, or your personal details have changed, your new licence will run until the end of your original period.

However, if you update your photo at the same time, you’ll come under the new 5-year rule.

Drivers over 45 years old

Drivers over 45 will continue to renew their entitlement as they do now.

When you renew your licence at the end of a 5-year period, you’ll need to provide a medical examination report.

To apply for bus or lorry provisional entitlements, you need to complete form D2 and medical report form D4.

Your D4 form has to be filled in by a doctor. You may need an optician to fill in the section about your eyesight if your doctor isn’t able to. The doctor and optician may charge you for doing this.

You can also use a private firm specialising in drivers’ medical examinations.

Get the forms

You can download the D4 form and information and useful notes for filling in D4.

Get a D2 'Application for a driving licence for a lorry, minibus or bus' from the DVLA form ordering service.

Send the forms

Send forms D2 and D4 plus your current driving licence to DVLA. There is no application fee.

If you have a photocard driving licence, include the D740 paper counterpart.

If you have a paper driving licence, include a passport-style colour photo and original identity documents.

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR

When to expect your licence

You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks of DVLA getting your application. This may take longer if your health or personal details need to be checked.

The theory test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception.

You can book the test online.

It doesn't matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.

After passing the theory tests

You'll get a pass letter with the results for the part of the theory test you've just taken.

When you've passed both parts, you'll get sent your theory test certificate with your theory test number on it.

You'll need the theory test number when you book your practical test.

Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.

If you don't take your practical test within 2 years of passing the first part of the test, you'll have to retake that part again.

If you fail the theory tests

You'll get a results letter with feedback telling you why you've failed.

You can book another theory test straight away but you can't take the test for another 3 clear working days.

Cancelled tests

You might be able to apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if the Driving Standard Agency (DSA) cancels your test at short notice.

Your practical test will last about 90 minutes and include:

• vehicle safety questions
• practical road driving
• off-road exercises

You can book the practical test online.

Vehicle safety questions

You'll be asked some vehicle safety questions during your test. Download the full list of:

• questions for buses and lorries
• questions for buses and lorries with trailers

Practical road driving

During your practical road driving, the examiner will see how you:

• use the vehicle controls
• move away at an angle, uphill and downhill
• do a braking test
• use the mirrors
• give appropriate signals
• show awareness and anticipation of other road users intentions
• manage your progress and control your vehicle speed
• deal with hazards
• select a safe place to stop

There will also be 10 minutes of independent driving, designed to test your ability to drive safely while making independent decisions.

Off-road exercises

The off-road exercises will include:

• an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
• showing the uncoupling and re-coupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer

Test result

After you've taken the practical test your examiner will tell you if you've passed and explain how you did.

If you fail, you have to wait 3 clear working days before you can take the test again.

Cancelled tests

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses in some cases if DSA cancels your test at short notice.

Lorries, buses and coaches used in the practical test have to meet certain rules. If they don’t you won’t be able to use it for the test and:

• your test will be cancelled
• you may lose your test fee

Some vehicles and trailers must also carry a minimum weight.

Rules for lorries

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

They must be fitted with:

• externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors plus externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors for the examiner to use
• seatbelts fitted to seats used by the examiner or any person supervising the test
• a tachograph
• an anti-lock braking system (ABS) - please note that trailers don’t 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 C1+E 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 C1+E

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'.

There are 2 types of vehicle that you can use for the category C1+E test:

• a drawbar combination of a category C1 vehicle towing a trailer of at least 2 tonnes MAM with a combined length of at least 8 metres
• a medium-sized articulated lorry with a MAM of at least 6 tonnes with a combined length of at least 8 metres

Rules for large goods lorries: category C

Category C vehicles are large goods lorries:

• with a MAM of at least 12 tonnes
• at least 8 metres long
• at least 2.4 metres wide

The vehicle must have:

• at least 8 forward ratios
• a closed box cargo compartment at least as wide and as high as the cab

Category C+E vehicles must:

• have at least 8 forward ratios
• be at least 2.4 metres wide

There are 2 types of C+E test vehicle:

• a drawbar combination of a category C vehicle and trailer with a MAM of 20 tonnes and a length of at least 7.5 metres from coupling eye to extreme rear and a combined length of at least 14 metres
• an articulated lorry with a MAM of at least 20 tonnes, a minimum length of 14 metres and maximum length of 16.5 metres

Rules for buses and coaches

All the vehicles used for categories D1, D1+E, D and D+E tests must be capable of 50mph.

The vehicle must be fitted with:

• externally mounted nearside and offside mirrors including suitably positioned mirrors for the examiner to use
• a seatbelt for the examiner or any person supervising the test
• a tachograph
• anti-lock braking (ABS)

Stretch limousines and prison vans based on a lorry chassis can’t be used for the category D test.

Rule for minibuses: sub-category D1

Category D1 vehicles are minibuses, which are passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs):

• with between 9 and 16 passenger seats
• with a MAM of at least 4 tonnes
• at least 5 metres in length

Category D1+E vehicles are D1 vehicles towing a closed box trailer:

• with a MAM of at least 1.25 tonnes
• at least 2 metres high
• at least 2 metres wide

Rules for buses and coaches: category D

Category D vehicles are buses and coaches, which are PCVs:

• with more than 8 passenger seats
• at least 10 metres long
• at least 2.4 metres wide

Category D+E vehicles are category D vehicle towing a closed box trailer:

• with a MAM of at least 1.25 tonnes
• at least 2 metres high
• at least 2 metres wide

Minimum load requirement

The table shows which vehicles and trailers need to carry a minimum weight for the practical test and what the minimum load requirements are.

Your test will be cancelled and you can lose your fee if your vehicle doesn't meet the rules.

Rules about the load

The load can be water or bagged aggregates like sand, stone chippings, gravel or any other recycled material packages (but not toxic materials). Bagged aggregates can only be used on vehicle categories B+E, C1+E, D1+E and D+E.

Bagged aggregates must be in sealed transparent bags and must:

• all weigh the same
• be at least 10kg
• have the weight clearly stamped on them

Water must be in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) which are made from semi-transparent moulded plastic usually reinforced with a wire framework.

The examiner may need to inspect an IBC used as ‘load’ for the test, so it’s important that they can visually check it has the correct water level.

You can’t use any other type of load.

The load must be secured appropriately onto the vehicle or trailer.

Minimum real weight

The ‘real weight’ is the actual weight of the vehicle and the load combined. This cannot be more than the maximum authorised mass (MAM).

Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

These rules also apply to vehicles used for Driver CPC practical tests.

Vehicles used for Driver CPC periodic training don’t have to be laden.

You must have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence if you’re a professional bus, coach or lorry driver.

You must pass the initial Driver CPC qualification before driving professionally.

Once you’ve passed Driver CPC you'll get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which you'll need to keep with you when you're driving.

You might be able to get Driver CPC through 'acquired rights' if you're already a professional bus or lorry driver.

Whether you took the Driver CPC qualification or got Driver CPC through acquired rights you'll need to do 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to keep it.