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The Chequered Flag Training Network is a group of independently owned and operated specialist HGV Driver Training / Forklift Driver Training businesses working together to offer the very best quality HGV tuition to anyone involved within the transport and logistics sector.

The network currently consists of over twenty companies strategically located throughout England, Scotland and Wales, with more joining the Network over the coming weeks. We plan that this Network of local companies will will cover the entire country enabling the membership to deliver training courses throughout the UK.

Our members can deliver this full spectrum of services:

Category B+E:   Would you like to be able to tow a trailer safely?

Caravan towing training, Horse-box and Trailer including: Towing / Reversing Instruction, Trailer Uncouple / Re-Couple and controlled stop.  Confidence building for towing and reversing trailers on and off-road.

If you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997, you may now need to pass an another driving test (Category B+E) to enable you to tow a trailer or caravan weighing over 750kg MAM, and where the MAM of the combination of towing vehicles in category B and trailer exceeds 3500kg.

MAM: Is the Maximum Authorised Mass (weight) also known as the Gross Vehicle Weight. It is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of the maximum permitted payload.

• Category C1: The new HGV Class 3 in the Britain, the old HGV Class 3 categorised as any two-axle goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes – 7,500 kilograms (16,535 lb); allows the holder to drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (gross vehicle weight) between 3.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes (3,500 to 7,500 kilograms (7,716 to 16,535 lb)) with a trailer up to 750 kilograms (1,653 lb) maximum authorised mass. The minimum age for obtaining this licence is 18 years of age.

• Category C1+E: Permits the licence holder to drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (gross vehicle weight) between 3.5 tonnes – 7.5 tonnes (3,500 to 7,500 kilograms (7,716 to 16,535 lb)) with a trailer over 750 kilograms (1,653 lb) maximum authorised mass, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the vehicle being driven, and the combined maximum authorised mass of both the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12 tonnes (12,000 kilograms (26,455 lb)). You must be at least 21 years old to apply for this licence.

• Category C: The new HGV Class 2 in the UK, the old HGV Class 2 being any rigid goods vehicle with more than two axles; allows the holder to drive a vehicle weighing over 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms (7,716 lb)) with a trailer up to 750 kilograms (1,653 lb) maximum authorised mass. You must be at least 21 years old to apply for this licence.

• Category C+E: The new Class 1; allows the holder to drive a vehicle weighing over 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms (7,716 lb)) with a trailer over 750 kilograms (1,653 lb) maximum authorised mass. To obtain this licence you must have more than 6 months experience driving a, but now, because of changes in the law, you can do back to back tests, i.e. Category C first then C+E the following week. This licence can be obtained at 21 years of age.

• Category D1: In order to drive a minibus on the public highway, you need to have category D1 on your driving licence. If passed you test before January 1st 2007 you would automatically be permitted to drive a Minibus, but excludes the use of the vehicle for profit. People who gained a full car licence from 1 Jan 1997 do not get automatic D1 entitlement unless they are driving for a charitable or educational organisation as a ‘volunteer minibus driver’

• Category D1+E:   &The minimum age for this licence is 21 years old and you must hold a full Cat D1 and Provisional Cat D1+E licence. There are specific rules for under 21s allowing them to drive. Specifications are fully outlined on the DVLA website. Having a D1 licence you can now undertake the Practical Driver Training in the D1+E category, train to the DSA test standard and take the test. On passing this test: you are permitted to drive a vehicle with from 9 and 16 passenger seats.  You can tow a trailer in excess of 750kg, however, the combination weight must not exceed 12t and the trailer has to be within the rated towing capacity of the towing vehicle.

• Category D: The minimum age for this licence is 21 years old and have already obtained a full Cat B (car) and Provisional Cat D licence. There are also well specified rules for under 21s allowing them to drive. Please refer to the DVLA website.

Some of the membership can also deliver:

• Category B – Car training
• Category A – Motorbike training

If you require assistance regarding Pre-Licence medicals, all our members are qualified to help you, just ask for Forms D2 and D4, Theory Tests for:

• Module 1 (Multiple Choice and Hazard Perception) including classroom based tuition and computer training
• Module 2 (Case Study)
• Module 3 (Practical Driving)
• Module 4 (Show me, tell me)

Chequered Flag Training Network instructors are either RoSPA Advanced Drivers for LGV’s or on the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) Voluntary Register of LGV Instructors

After obtaining an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) – HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) licence, drivers can also receive additional instruction for SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving)

Our group of companies are capable of delivering Driver CPC, the new requirement of Periodic Training, which requires drivers to undertake 35 hours of tuition every 5 years. Phase 1 of this training began in September 2009 and must be completed by September 2014.

Many businesses now expect new employees to carry out a basic driving assessment and this is something the membership can deliver. Our highly qualified RoSPA qualified Driver Assessors are able to help you do this.

We have even more courses which are delivered by our expert instructors:-

• ALLMI (Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers) lorry mounted crane (HIAB) – both Initial and Refresher
• MiDAS (Minibus Drivers Awareness Scheme) plus Accessible.
• ITSSAR (Fork Lift and Mechanical Handling Equipment)
• RTITB (Reach and Counterbalance FLT)
• CITB (Construction Plant and Machinery)
• Health and Safety, Manual Handling, First Aid
• NVQ’s (National Vocational Qualifications) – especially DGV (Driving Goods Vehicles) and CAD (Carry and Deliver)

Author: Ian Fairweather – The Chequered Flag Training Network

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