FAQs
Questions about training
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HGV and LGV licences
What is the difference between HGV Class 1 and Class 2?
Class 2 is the old name for Category C: rigid lorries over 3.5 tonnes, such as tippers and curtainsiders. Class 1 is Category C+E: articulated lorries, and rigid lorries towing a trailer over 750kg. HGV and LGV mean the same thing; LGV is the term the DVSA uses.
Do I need a medical to get an HGV licence?
Yes. You send a D4 medical report, completed by a doctor, with your D2 application for provisional lorry entitlement. Lorry drivers renew their medical at 45, then every five years until 65, then every year.
Which theory tests do I need to pass?
The lorry theory test has two parts, multiple choice and hazard perception, taken at a DVSA test centre. If you will drive for a living you also need the Driver CPC case study test. Theory passes last two years, so plan your practical training within that window.
Do you help with the theory tests?
Yes. If you are training with us we book your theory tests with you, and offer free one-to-one theory tuition with mock tests at our Dumfries centre. We can also enrol you on DTS Anytime, an online platform covering all three tests, where we can see your progress. See theory test resources.
Can I go straight to Class 1 without passing Class 2 first?
Yes. Since DVSA rule changes in 2021 you can train and test on an articulated lorry without holding Category C first. See our Direct Access C+E course. We will talk through whether going direct or stepping up suits your experience.
How old do I need to be to train?
You can apply for provisional lorry entitlement from 18. Some rules on what you can drive professionally depend on your age and Driver CPC status, so call us if you are under 21 and we will explain what applies to you.
Driver CPC and ADR
How many Driver CPC hours do I need?
Professional lorry and bus drivers need 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep their Driver Qualification Card valid. We deliver it in 7-hour modules, so you can spread the hours out or complete them in a week.
How do I know my Driver CPC hours have been recorded?
We upload your hours to your DVSA record after each module. You can check your training record yourself online on GOV.UK using your driving licence number.
How long does an ADR certificate last?
An ADR driver training certificate is valid for five years. Book a refresher before it expires so you can keep carrying dangerous goods without a break.
Towing and B+E
Do I still need a test to tow a trailer with my car?
No. Since December 2021, anyone with a full car licence can tow a trailer of up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass without taking a separate test. You still need to stay within your vehicle's towing limits and know how to load, hitch and reverse safely, which is what our B+E familiarisation course covers.
Who is B+E training for?
Farmers, horse owners, tradespeople towing plant or equipment, and anyone new to towing who wants to do it confidently. Employers also use it to show staff have been trained before they tow company trailers.
NPORS plant training
What is NPORS?
NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) is one of the main UK card schemes for plant operators. NPORS cards carrying the CSCS logo are accepted on construction sites across the UK.
Should I book novice training, a refresher or an experienced worker test?
Novice training is for people who have never operated the machine. A refresher is for card holders renewing or brushing up. The experienced worker test is for operators who already have the skills but no card. Tell us your experience and we will book the right route.
What is the difference between the red and blue NPORS cards?
Passing your NPORS test gives you a red Trained Operator card. To upgrade to the blue Competent Operator card you complete an NVQ or SVQ while working on the machine. We can explain the route when you book.
Why do you only take three trainees on most plant courses?
Seat time. With three trainees per machine, everyone spends most of the day operating rather than watching. It is also the ratio that lets an instructor give each person proper attention.
Booking and funding
How long has Nithcree been training drivers?
Since 2001. Nithcree grew out of a family haulage business and opened its Dumfries training centre that year. We opened in Perth in 2021 and became a registered NPORS plant training centre in 2024. Read our 25-year story.
What is your pass rate?
90% of candidates who train with Nithcree pass. Our instructors have more than 300 years of industry experience between them, and two are DVSA reverse examiners. See how we do it.
Can I get funding for my training?
Possibly. Scottish funding, No One Left Behind employability support and English schemes can cover some or all of a course, depending on where you live and your circumstances. See funding options or ask us to check before you book.
Where are your courses held?
Every course runs at our Dumfries centre in Heathhall. LGV and B+E courses also run at our Perth centre.
Do you train staff for employers?
Yes. We train individuals and whole teams, from complete beginners to experienced staff who need refreshers, Driver CPC hours or an NPORS experienced worker test. Call us to plan training around your work.
How do I book?
Call 01387 256528 or send an enquiry. Tell us what you want to drive or operate and your experience, and we will recommend the right course and check funding before you commit.
Ready when you are
Book a course or ask a question