/ By Andrea Allott / Blog • Driver Training • Industry News • Trucking/ 0 Comments

Upskill yourself by filling up you driving licence.

Filling up the category section on the back of your driving licence is not only satisfying in itself, but can also upskill you to ensure a secure career in driving…

Here is a cost effective way where you could gain an extra 9 licence categories by passing only 3 driving tests! (Drivers who passed their car driving test before 1997 will already have categories: B+E, C1 and D1).

Pass the Large Goods Vehicle C (rigid truck) driving test, and you will also gain the C1 (7.5 Tonne) licence.

Then pass the LGV C+E (Truck & Trailer) driving test, and you’ll also gain the B+E (Car & Trailer) licence, and the C1+E (7.5 Tonne & Trailer) category.

Once the LGV licences have been passed, you can move on to take the Passenger Carrying Vehicle D (Bus / Coach) test. Passing this test will also give you the PCV D1 (Minibus) category. However, because you have passed the larger LGV C+E trailer test, you then also gain the PCV trailer entitlements D1+E (Minibus & Trailer), and the D+E (Bus / Coach & Trailer)!

Here’s a recap of these licence categories gained:

  • B+E (Car & Trailer)
  • C1 (7.5 Tonne)
  • C1+E (7.5 Tonne & Trailer)
  • C (Rigid Truck)
  • C+E (Truck & Trailer)
  • D1 (Minibus)
  • D1+E (Minibus & Trailer)
  • D (Bus / Coach)
  • D+E (Bus / Coach & Trailer)

Check out our package that includes everything required to become a commercial truck and bus driver:
‘All LGV and PCV Licence Categories & Driver CPC’ 

Ben Shaw Training Ltd
01282 614124

www.benshawtraining.co.uk
[email protected]

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/ By Andrea Allott / Ben Shaw Training News • Blog • Driver Training • Transport/ 0 Comments

Carry on Caravanning – Safely.

The weather is warming up and caravanners across the UK are getting ready to set off on their adventures – making many magical memories along the way.

The beauty about owning a caravan is the exploring potential is almost limitless. And if you don’t like one destination, just simply pack up and move on.

Caravanning has witnessed a resurgence in recent years, with sleek and modern tourers coming on to the market.

And it is big business with more than £1.8bn spent on caravan holidays in Britain each year, and 51 million nights spent in different forms of caravans over the same period.

It is estimated there are 550,000 touring caravan owners in the UK, and in 2015, a total of 44,901 new caravans, motorhomes and caravan holiday homes were bought.

But what makes caravan holidays so appealing that the memories often last a lifetime?

“It’s the flexibility and freedom a leisure vehicle offers,” said John Lally Director General of the National Caravan Council.

He added: “Families and people of all ages enjoy caravanning and motor homing.

“We’re also seeing increasing numbers of younger people choosing to holiday in the UK.

“With caravans and motorhomes equipped with all the latest technology and comforts, the industry provides the perfect solution for holidaymakers to enjoy a ‘home from home’ experience any time of the year.”

But before you go rushing out to buy a caravan, ask yourself if you’re legal to tow it.

First of all, you need to check the date you passed your driving test.

If it’s before January 1, 1997, you are fine because the category B+E entitlement is automatically included on your licence.

But for those who tore up their L-plates after this date, only categories B and B1 are included, which limits the maximum weight of a vehicle you can drive to 3,500kg and trailer you can tow to 750kg.

To drive or tow anything larger, an additional driving test to add the B+E category to your licence is required.

Ben Shaw Training’s expert tuition can help drivers reach the standard required to pass the test. Or if you’re after a refresher course to brush up on your towing skills, we can help with that, too!

From one-to-one driving lessons and practical tuition by experienced instructors to advice on different licensing categories they can do it all.

Click here to see what Ben Shaw Training can do for you.

/ By Andrea Allott / Ben Shaw Training News • Transport • Uncategorized/ 0 Comments

Christmas Gift Voucher

Christmas Card 2015

Kick start your loved one into booking a course!

With less than a month to go until Christmas, it’s the last minute rush trying to find ‘that’ perfect present for someone who has everything!

At Ben Shaw Training Ltd we offer B+E (Car & Trailer) and LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) courses, and have a variety of different gift vouchers options available:

B+E Car & Trailer Initial 2hr Lesson
B+E Car & Trailer Full Course and Test
Trailer or Caravan Towing Improvement and Manoeuvring
Caravan Beginner Course
LGV Medical and Theory Test Package
LGV Cat. C1 (7.5 Tonne) Course and Test
LGV Cat. C (Class 2 Rigid) Initial 2hr Lesson
LGV Cat. C (Class 2 Rigid) Course and Test
LGV C+E (Class 1 Artic/Drawbar Trailer) 4hr Initial Lesson
LGV C+E (Class 1 Artic/Drawbar Trailer) Course and Test
LGV Ride-along as a passenger

B+E (Car & Trailer)

Drivers passing their car driving test after 1 January 1997 no longer receive the B+E (Car & Trailer), D1 (Minibus, or C1 (7.5 Tonne) Grandfather Rights! An extra vocational practical driving test must now be passed to have these entitlements added to your licence.

Caravan

Winter is a great time to start planning summer holidays and weekend getaways! Caravanning is perfect for families, and couples alike. Alas, many people lack the confidence to actually hitch up an go… We offer courses for absolute beginners, which includes, siting and levelling up. How the electric system works, both 12 volt and 240. How the gas supply fuels the heating, cooker and fridge. How to use toilet facilities. Safe loading procedures. Manoeuvring and reversing, including the benefits of a motormover.

We also offer a shorter course for more seasoned caravaners that are familiar with using a caravan, but struggle manoeuvring and reversing.

LGV (Large Goods Vehicle)

Whether you’re planning a career change, or you’re wanting to drive a horsebox, or maybe even fancy fulfilling a dream of driving a truck just for the fun of it! We can provide assistance in all aspects of getting behind the wheel of a large vehicle. We also offer the chance to come on a ride-along as a passenger, giving you the chance to get a feel of the power and the size of a HGV!

Gift Voucher

Call us for a price of the different options. Don’t worry if you buy the wrong one, as we’ll happily change it for a more appropriate lesson for the same value.

Christmas Open Day

All are welcome to join us for our open day, Wednesday 30th December.

Ben Shaw Training Ltd

01282 614124