DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Great Britain
Get licensed to drive for a living
Qualified drivers earn up to £48,000 a year.
Answer three questions and we will tell you whether you can start, what it costs and what to do first. Every fee comes from DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), not from us.
What do you want to drive?
How old are you?
Which of these do you already have?
Your route
Every route, in full
Open the one you need — most people only need theirs.
Car driving licence Category B £123 to qualify · earns up to £38,000 · 4 steps
The full car licence, and the base most professional driving routes build on.
- 1
Apply for your provisional licence
You apply to DVLA before you can drive on the road.
- Apply online at GOV.UK or by post using form D1.
- You need identity documents and addresses for the last three years.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Provisional licence (online) alternative — not added to the total £34 — regulator Provisional licence (postal) alternative — not added to the total £43 — regulator Where people get stuck
- No acceptable photo ID
- Gaps in the three-year address history
- 2
Take lessons and learn to drive
You build road skills with a qualified instructor before booking your tests.
- Most learners need 40-50 hours of professional lessons plus private practice.
- Lessons are booked in blocks; ask about hourly and block rates.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Driving lesson (per hour) estimate £32–£48 £38 — provider Where people get stuck
- Running out of money before test-ready
- Long waits to rebook once cancelled
- 3
Pass the theory test
You pass multiple-choice questions and hazard perception before the practical.
- Two parts: 50 multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception video test.
- Book at a DVSA theory test centre.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Car theory test £23 — regulator Where people get stuck
- Underestimating hazard perception timing
- Booking the practical before passing theory
- 4
Pass the practical driving test
You demonstrate safe driving to a DVSA examiner to earn the full licence.
- Includes an independent driving section and a manoeuvre.
- Weekend and evening test slots cost more.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Practical test (weekday) £62 £75 regulator Where people get stuck
- Nerves on the day
- Waiting months for a test slot in busy areas
What it qualifies you for
- Delivery / courier driver — typically £24,000–£32,000 a year. Steady demand; a full car licence is the minimum entry requirement.
- Private hire / taxi driver — typically £22,000–£38,000 a year. Requires additional local authority licensing on top of the car licence.
Lorry licence (LGV) Category C / C+E £1,442 to qualify · earns up to £48,000 · 4 steps
Rigid and articulated lorry licences for freight and haulage work.
- 1
Pass the LGV medical
You have a medical to prove you are fit for vocational driving.
- Carried out by a GP or specialist medical provider.
- Includes eyesight, blood pressure and general health checks.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to LGV medical estimate £50–£150 £90 — medical Where people get stuck
- Undeclared health conditions requiring further assessment
- Eyesight below the vocational standard
- 2
Apply for provisional entitlement
You send DVLA the D2 form and your medical to add provisional LGV to your licence.
- Applications are by post using forms D2 and D4.
- There is no fee for the first vocational provisional entitlement.
Where people get stuck
- Medical form D4 completed incorrectly
- Postal processing delays
- 3
Pass the LGV theory tests
You pass multiple-choice and hazard perception tests set for lorry drivers.
- Two parts: multiple choice and hazard perception.
- Module 2 CPC case studies can be taken alongside if going professional.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to LGV multiple-choice theory £26 — regulator LGV hazard perception £11 — regulator Where people get stuck
- Volume of vehicle-specific knowledge
- Confusing which modules are licence versus CPC
- 4
Train and pass the practical test
You take intensive vocational training then pass the practical driving test.
- Category C (rigid) is usually taken before C+E (articulated).
- Training is normally a full-week intensive course.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Cat C training course estimate £900–£1,600 £1,200 — provider Practical test (weekday) £115 £141 regulator Where people get stuck
- Cost of the training course
- Limited availability of vocational test slots
What it qualifies you for
- HGV Class 2 driver (rigid) — typically £30,000–£38,000 a year. Persistent driver shortage keeps demand and starting pay strong.
- HGV Class 1 driver (articulated) — typically £34,000–£48,000 a year. Class 1 with tramping or nights commands the highest freight pay.
Ways to get it paid for
- LGV Driver apprenticeship — Earn while you train towards Cat C and Driver CPC with an employer. funded by Employer via the apprenticeship levy
Bus and coach licence (PCV) Category D / D1 £1,542 to qualify · earns up to £40,000 · 4 steps
Passenger-carrying vehicle licences for bus and coach work.
- 1
Pass the PCV medical
You prove you meet the higher health standard for carrying passengers.
- Same D4 medical standard as LGV.
- Carried out by a GP or dedicated medical provider.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to PCV medical estimate £50–£150 £90 — medical Where people get stuck
- Eyesight or health conditions requiring specialist referral
- 2
Apply for provisional entitlement
You submit forms D2 and D4 to DVLA to add provisional PCV.
- Postal application only.
- No fee for the first vocational provisional entitlement.
Where people get stuck
- Incorrectly completed medical form
- Postal delays
- 3
Pass the PCV theory tests
You pass the multiple-choice and hazard perception tests for bus drivers.
- Two parts as with LGV.
- CPC case studies can be sat alongside for professional work.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to PCV multiple-choice theory £26 — regulator PCV hazard perception £11 — regulator Where people get stuck
- Passenger-safety knowledge is broad
- Mixing up licence and CPC modules
- 4
Train and pass the practical test
You complete PCV training then pass the practical driving test.
- Includes vehicle safety questions and passenger-focused manoeuvres.
- Usually a full-week intensive course.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to PCV training course estimate £1,000–£1,700 £1,300 — provider Practical test (weekday) £115 £141 regulator Where people get stuck
- Cost of the course
- Scarce test appointments
What it qualifies you for
- Local bus driver — typically £26,000–£34,000 a year. Many operators recruit continuously and fund training for the right candidates.
- Coach driver — typically £28,000–£40,000 a year. Touring and private hire pays more but involves long and irregular hours.
Ways to get it paid for
- Operator-sponsored PCV training — Bus companies pay for licence and CPC in return for a service commitment. funded by Bus and coach operators
Driver CPC Certificate of Professional Competence £173 to qualify · earns up to £48,000 · 4 steps
The qualification you must hold on top of an LGV or PCV licence to drive professionally.
- 1
Pass CPC Module 2 (case studies)
You sit a theory-based test of real driving scenarios.
- Computer-based case study test at a DVSA centre.
- Taken after or alongside the vocational theory tests.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Module 2 case studies £23 — regulator Where people get stuck
- Applying general knowledge to case scenarios
- 2
Pass CPC Module 4 (practical demonstration)
You show you can load, secure and check a vehicle safely.
- Assessed at a DVSA test centre using demonstration questions.
- Covers vehicle security, loading and emergency procedures.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Module 4 practical (weekday) £55 £63 regulator Where people get stuck
- Not preparing the physical demonstration
- Skipping the safety-check patter
- 3
Receive your Driver Qualification Card
You get the DQC that must be carried when driving professionally.
- Issued once all modules and the licence are in place.
- Valid for five years, then renewed by periodic training.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Driver Qualification Card £25 — regulator Where people get stuck
- Driving for hire before the card arrives
- 4
Keep it current with periodic training
You complete 35 hours of approved training every five years to stay qualified.
- Delivered as seven-hour approved courses.
- Can be spread across the five-year cycle.
Fees at this step Item Standard Premium slot Paid to Periodic training (per 7-hour day) estimate £50–£100 £70 — provider Where people get stuck
- Letting the five-year deadline lapse
- Employers assuming the driver funds it
What it qualifies you for
- Professional LGV driver (CPC held) — typically £32,000–£48,000 a year. The CPC is a legal requirement for driving for hire or reward; without it the vocational licence cannot be used commercially.
- Professional PCV driver (CPC held) — typically £26,000–£40,000 a year. Required for all paid passenger driving.
Ways to get it paid for
- Employer-funded periodic training — Most established operators pay for the 35 hours of periodic CPC. funded by Employer
Work out your own total Retakes, evening and weekend test slots
Totals come from the same figures as the routes. Change anything and the number changes with it.
About these figures
The figures on this page are illustrative and have not been checked against DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). Confirm before budgeting.
Figures cover Great Britain. Northern Ireland licensing is run by the DVA and fees and tests differ.
Questions people actually ask
Do I need a car licence before training for a lorry or bus?
Yes. A full Category B (car) licence is the starting point for LGV and PCV entitlements.
What is the difference between the licence and the Driver CPC?
The licence lets you drive the vehicle. The Driver CPC is the extra qualification the law requires before you can drive it for a living.
Which fees go to the government and which to the trainer?
Theory tests, practical tests, provisional applications and the DQC are DVSA statutory fees. Lessons, courses and periodic training are paid to the training provider. The medical is paid to the medical provider.
Are these prices exact?
No. All figures are unverified estimates recalled for guidance. Statutory fees can change and course prices vary by provider and region. Confirm current amounts before you book.
Can I get training funded?
Sometimes. Apprenticeships, operator sponsorship and employer-funded periodic training exist for LGV, PCV and CPC. Eligibility usually depends on being employed by a participating firm.
Talk to someone
Leave your number and we will call you back with a plan for your route.
Or call 0800 000 0000.
Or email enquiries@roadwisetraining.example.