The Chequered Flag Training Network is an independent group of locally owned and operated specialist HGV Driver Training / Forklift Driver Training businesses working together to promote high quality HGV tuition to anyone involved within the transport and logistics sector.
This group currently consists of over twenty companies strategically located throughout England, Scotland and Wales, with more joining the Network very soon. Eventually 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, towing a Horse-box including: Towing / Reversing Training, Trailer Uncouple / Re-Couple and controlled stop. Confidence building for towing and reversing trailers on and off-road.
Did you pass your Driving Test after 31 Dec 2006?, you will probably need to pass an additional 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 combined weight of the trailer and legal load.
- Category C1: The new HGV Class 3 in the Britain, the old HGV Class 3 being 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)). This licence can be obtained at 21 years of age.
- 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. This licence can be obtained at 21 years of age.
- 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. You must be at least 21 years old to apply for this licence.
- Category D1: If you want to gain a Minibus licence to drive on the public highway, you must obtain a category D1 on your driving licence. This entitlement was automatically granted for people gaining a full car licence prior to 1 January 1997, but excludes the use of the vehicle for hire or reward. 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 also well specified 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. If successful: you are permitted to drive a vehicle with from 9 and 16 passenger seats. You can tow a trailer over 750kg, however, the combination weight must not exceed 12t and the trailer must be within the rated towing capacity of the towing vehicle.
- Category D: You must be at least 21 years of age and you must hold a full Cat B (car) and Provisional Cat D licence. There are also well specified rules for under 21s allowing them to drive. Specifications are fully outlined on the DVLA website.
Some of the membership can also deliver:
- Category B – Car tuition
- Category A – Motorbike training
All members of the network can assist candidates with Pre-Licence medicals, 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
There are also other supplementary courses for those who have passed their LGV / HGV licence, drivers can also receive extra instruction for SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving)
Our group of companies are qualified to deliver Driver CPC, the new requirement of Periodic Training, to achieve this you must undertake 35 hours of tuition every 5 years. Phase One of this instruction 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 where we can help. 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