Everything you need to go from your car licence to your HGV C1 Licence with dedicated support every step of the way.
Train with highly experienced HGV instructors who have years of hands-on experience helping new drivers qualify and progress into confident, professional HGV drivers.
Our intensive Category C1 HGV courses fast-track you to qualification, so you don’t need to take excessive time off work to become a qualified HGV driver.
We provide expert advice and comprehensive theory resources to support you through your HGV theory test.
We take care of your HGV medical, with a fast and straightforward 10-minute appointment through our approved doctors.
Our in-house recruitment specialists support you with CV rewriting and help you find your first HGV driving job.
We deliver consistently high HGV pass rates across our nationwide training centres. Our structured courses and expert instructors are designed to give you the confidence and skills needed to pass your HGV test.
The C1 licence allows you to drive vehicles between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes, making it ideal for ambulance, paramedic, delivery, removals, and motorhome drivers. This course is designed for drivers with a full UK car licence who want to upgrade safely and confidently.
You’ll receive professional training from experienced instructors, tailored to your ability and confidence level. Training focuses on real-world driving skills including vehicle control, positioning, junctions, and hazard awareness.
All training is delivered in C1 vehicles that meet DVSA test standards.
Once complete, you’ll take the DVSA C1 practical driving test in the same vehicle you trained in.
Press play to see what’s involved
Complete your quick medical check to confirm you’re fit to start HGV training.
Prepare and pass your theory exam with expert guidance and online tools.
Learn to handle large vehicles safely with an expert DVSA-approved trainer
Get post-training help to find your first job and start your driving career.
Before starting your Category C1 HGV training, you’ll first need to complete a DVSA medical assessment to confirm you meet the required health standards. You’ll also need to pass the relevant theory tests, including multiple choice and hazard perception, which ensure you understand road safety and professional driving rules. Support and resources are available to help you prepare for these stages.
Once your medical and theory are complete, your practical C1 training begins. You’ll train with an experienced instructor who will introduce you to the vehicle, covering controls, mirrors, daily safety checks, and correct driving position. Training then moves onto real-world driving, focusing on junctions, roundabouts, hazard awareness, speed control, and road positioning.
Manoeuvring and reversing are practised in a safe, controlled environment before being applied on the road. Training is tailored to your confidence and ability, with clear feedback throughout. When you’re test-ready, you’ll take the DVSA C1 practical driving test in the same vehicle you’ve trained in, helping you feel calm and prepared on the day.
The C1 licence is ideal if you want to drive vehicles between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes without moving straight into full HGV work. It’s a popular choice for ambulance and paramedic roles, removals and delivery work, tradespeople using larger vehicles, and motorhome owners.
C1 is well suited to drivers who are confident car drivers but want to step up gradually to a larger vehicle. The training and vehicle size make it a more accessible option than CAT C, while still opening up new job opportunities and responsibilities.
If you only need to drive a 7.5-tonne vehicle for work or personal use, C1 is often the most practical and cost-effective route. If your goal is long-term HGV driving or higher-earning articulated roles, you may want to consider progressing to CAT C or CAT C+E in the future.
Start earning immediately after qualifying. See real job opportunities available in your area right now.
The C1 licence is most commonly required for ambulance and paramedic drivers, including those working in NHS and private healthcare roles. It’s also widely used by those with a horsebox, removals and delivery drivers, tradespeople operating larger work vehicles, and motorhome owners whose vehicles exceed 3.5 tonnes.
C1 is ideal for drivers who need to legally drive a 7.5-tonne vehicle but do not require a full HGV licence. It offers a practical step up from a car licence without the commitment of full HGV or articulated lorry
No. You don’t need any previous HGV or commercial driving experience. As long as you hold a full UK car licence and meet the medical requirements, you can start C1 training as a complete beginner.
Most learners complete C1 training in 3–5 days, depending on confidence and driving ability. This is after completing the required medical and theory tests first.
Yes. Many drivers use C1 as a stepping stone before upgrading to CAT C or CAT C+E if they want to drive larger vehicles or access higher-paying HGV roles in the future.
Yes. Our C1 course is designed to support you through the full process. This includes arranging your DVSA medical assessment, providing theory training and learning resources, booking your theory tests, and delivering professional practical driving lessons with an experienced instructor. Once you’re ready, we also arrange and book your DVSA C1 practical driving test, so you’re supported from start to finish.
Get qualified with our HGV training courses designed for new HGV drivers
