If you’re aspiring to be a lorry driver to earn a living, you may be under the notion that it is an easy procedure. You can especially feel confident when you already have a driving license. After all, it can’t be that different. The reality is that it’s not challenging in terms of the process undertaken, but there are a few things you are required to perform in a certain order if you wish to finish your training correctly.
Among the first things you are required to do is applying for and securing your provisional LGV license. So, what is the need to apply for a provisional LGV license and begin your journey to become an LGV driver?
Is Lgv or the Hgv License Necessary?
This point has received its fair share of confusion, which is why we have decided to clear things up. You need to have a specialty license if you want to drive HGV’s. You get this being referred to as the HGV license or the LGV license. In order to complicate things – these two terms are essentially the one and the same.
When HGV is used over LGV, it’s all a matter of semantics, and there is no difference whatsoever when on paper. The only time LGV matters are when you’re speaking about light goods vehicles, such as vans, instead of ‘large goods vehicles’ such as tipper trucks and lorries.
With that said, if you wish to make an application for an HGV license, you will be required to get 2 forms. HGV training is also required along with a medical to insure you do not have any underlying medical conditions that could halt you from driving.
D2 Form
This is the first firm you will have to procure. The D2 form is the original application form that you fill in your information and forward it to the DVLA to make your provisional license application. The process is exactly similar to how you apply for a conventional driving license, so it should be an easy step for you. You can directly order the D2 from the DVLA or take it from your training school.
D4 Form
The second important form that is required is referred to as a D4 (we know it’s imaginative). This is somewhat a new fad in the HGV world, as it encapsulates the driver’s medical aspect of things. The form is basically a medical form that you will partly fill in and then give a health practitioner to finish filling in the remaining parts.
You will be required to get a physical examination from a registered and licensed doctor, from where they will fill in the results and sign the relevant sections of the form. Once the form has been filled by the doctor, you will have to send it to the DVLA to get processed. If you want, you can acquire this form and the D2 pack from the DVLA or go directly to GOV.UK and download. On a personal note, we advise that you download from the government website since the site also provides information and tips that can help you fill the form, which is pretty useful.
Upon filling in both forms, you can send them to complete your provisional license application. If there are no issues in the process or any red flags, either with your medical exam or driving record, expect to get your provisional LGV license in the mailbox in 3 weeks.
During this period, you don’t have to dilly-dally until the mail arrives. Many drivers opt to prepare and study up for their theory test so that as soon as they are given the go-ahead, they will be ready for the exam. At Easy as HGV, we are specialists in supporting and helping newbie drivers on their journey, starting from applying their provisional LGV license to doing their test and getting their first professional job in the field.
We offer practical and theoretical training throughout your journey. With a team of professionals to provide guidance, advice, and their wealth of knowledge. If you want to find more information about what we do, reach out to the team now.