What is a Category C (LGV) Licence?
A Category C entitlement — also called an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) licence — allows you to drive rigid vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 7.5 tonnes. This is the most widely sought HGV licence in the UK, covering the vast majority of goods vehicles you see on roads every day: curtainsiders, tippers, flatbeds, tankers, concrete mixers and box trucks.
Category C is also the mandatory stepping stone to Category CE (articulated lorry). You must hold a full Cat C licence before beginning CE training.
What Vehicles Can I Drive?
- ✓ Rigid lorries over 7.5 tonnes GVW
- ✓ Supermarket and retail delivery vehicles
- ✓ Construction tippers and flatbeds
- ✓ Refuse and utility fleet vehicles
- ✓ Tankers and specialist rigid vehicles
- ✓ Skip lorries and hook-lifts
What's Included in Category C Training?
- ✓ Cockpit checks & vehicle safety inspection — brake tests, lights, tyres, load
- ✓ Controls & instruments — tachograph, air brakes, gearbox
- ✓ Manoeuvring — reversing exercise, turning in confined spaces
- ✓ On-road driving — urban, rural, dual carriageway, motorway
- ✓ Tachograph and drivers' hours training
- ✓ DVSA test preparation and mock assessments
- ✓ Theory study materials — multiple choice & hazard perception
Prerequisites
- ✓ Hold a full Category B (car) driving licence
- ✓ Pass a DVLA Group 2 medical examination (D4 form)
- ✓ Pass the LGV theory test and hazard perception test
- ✓ Apply for a provisional LGV entitlement (we guide you)
- ✓ Be at least 18 years of age (21 for international driving)
Duration & Programme Structure
Our Cat C intensive programme typically involves 5–7 days of practical training, structured as follows:
- Days 1–2: Vehicle familiarisation, controls, low-speed manoeuvres
- Days 3–4: On-road driving — building confidence and skill
- Day 5: Mock test, refinements, DVSA test day
Total time from first enquiry to holding your licence — including the medical, theory tests and practical test — is typically 4–8 weeks, depending on test slot availability.
Do I Need Driver CPC?
If you will be driving commercially (i.e. as part of your job), you also need the Driver CPC initial qualification. We recommend combining Cat C training with CPC — it saves time and money. Find out more about Driver CPC →
What are the Career Prospects?
Category C drivers are in consistently high demand across the UK. Starting salaries for newly qualified Cat C drivers typically range from £28,000 to £38,000, with experienced drivers earning significantly more. Common employers include supermarket chains, construction firms, waste management companies and general hauliers.
Funding & Finance
Don't let cost be a barrier. We offer:
- ✓ Skills Bootcamp — government-funded, potentially free
- ✓ Jobcentre Plus — funding for eligible job-seekers
- ✓ Employer-funded — many firms pay for staff training
- ✓ Interest-free finance — spread the cost over 6–12 months
Next Step: Category CE
Once you hold your Cat C licence, you can progress to Category CE (articulated lorry) training — the highest HGV entitlement, with the best earning potential. Many of our candidates complete both within the same training programme.