Large goods vehicle

Driver licensing

European Union

It is necessary to have an appropriate European driving license to drive a large goods vehicle in the European Union. There are four categories:

• Category C1 allows the holder to drive a large goods vehicle with a maximum authorized mass (gross vehicle weight) of up to 7500 kg with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass of up to 750 kg. This license can be obtained at 18 years of age and is the replacement for the HGV Class 3 in the UK (the old HGV Class 3 being any two-axle goods vehicle over 7,500 kg).
• Category C1+E allows the holder to drive a large goods vehicle with a maximum authorized mass (gross vehicle weight) of up to 7,500 kg with a trailer over 750 kg maximum authorized mass, provided that the maximum authorized mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the vehicle being driven, and provided that the combined maximum authorized mass of both the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12000 kg.
• Category C allows the holder to drive any large goods vehicle with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass of up to 750 kg.
• Category C+E: allows the holder to drive any large goods vehicle with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass of over 750 kg. This license could only be obtained after six months' experience with a Class 2 truck, but more recently the law has changed so that it is now possible to take the tests back-to-back (Category C first then C+E the following week). This is the new Class 1 licence. Operator Licensing Operation of heavy goods vehicles for commercial reasons in European Union requires an operator's license. This allows member states to regulate companies operating these vehicles enforcing number of safety requirements which includes driver's hours regulations and vehicle safety standards.

UK

Drivers who passed a Category B (car) test before January 1, 1997 will have received Categories C1 and C1+E (Restriction Code 107: not more than 8250 kg) through the Implied Rights issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) (more commonly known as Grandfather Rights). All UK LGV license holders must undergo a strict medical examination and eye test on application at age 45 and every 5 years thereafter. On reaching 65 years of age, a medical examination must be performed on an annual basis.

Canada

In the Canadian province of Ontario, drivers holding a Full Class AZ license can drive any truck/tractor trailer combination, a combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of 4600 kg and has air brakes, or a vehicle pulling double trailers. Drivers holding a Class B (school bus), C (regular bus) or D (heavy truck) license can drive a truck with a gross weight or registered gross weight exceeding 11000 kg or any truck and trailer combination exceeding 11,000 kg gross weight or registered gross weight provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg.

New Zealand

Main article: Driving licence in New Zealand

There are four classes of heavy vehicle license: 2, 3, 4 and 5. Classes 1 and 6 are for light vehicles and motorcycles, respectively. The classes describe the characteristics of the vehicle, the weight limits, and the maximum number of axles.

Drivers must begin with a class 2 (medium rigid vehicle) learner license before progressing to a class 3 medium combination vehicle license or a class 4 heavy rigid vehicle license. A class 5 (heavy combination vehicle) license can only be earned after driving with a class 4 license for a specific timeframe (depending on age) or completing an accelerated course.

As New Zealand has a graduated driver licensing system, drivers must pass a theory test before being allowed to drive on the road. They can then drive with a supervisor for six months followed by a practical test, or they can complete an accelerated heavy vehicle course.

Safety

LGVs and their drivers are covered by strict regulations in many jurisdictions. For example, to improve safety, limit weight to that which will not excessively wear the transport infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.). The heavy weight of these vehicles leads to severe consequences for other road users in crashes; they are over-involved in fatal crashes,

Manufacturers

Current

• Daimler AG with subsidiaries
  • BharatBenz
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Freightliner
  • Mitsubishi Fuso
  • Western Star
• Paccar with subsidiaries
  • DAF
  • Kenworth
  • Leyland Trucks
  • Peterbilt
• Traton Group with subsidiaries
  • MAN Truck & Bus
  • Navistar International
  • Scania Trucks & Buses
  • Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus
• Volvo Group with subsidiaries
  • Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (45%)
  • Mack Trucks
  • Renault Trucks
  • Volvo Trucks
• Ford
• Hyundai

Ordinary goods vehicle

In the United Kingdom, the related term Ordinary Goods Vehicle (OGV) is used for medium and large goods vehicles. The Department for Transport COBA 7 scheme divides this into OGV1 (with up to three axles) and OGV2 (with four or more axles).

References

References

1. (19 March 2015). "Heavy goods vehicles".
2. "Towing trailers with medium sized vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes". [[DirectGov]].
3. (17 May 2011). "Position Paper: Longer and Heavier Vehicles".
4. "The vehicles you can drive or ride and minimum ages". [[DirectGov]].
5. "HGV and LGV nationwide training". Trans Tech Group.
6. (2017-11-29). "Provisional HGV Licence - How To Apply".
7. (23 January 2009). "Applying for a provisional HGV licence". TrainingMentor.
8. (23 January 2009). "Licence Types". MTO.gov.on.ca.
9. "Class 2 heavy vehicle licence".
10. "Approved heavy vehicle courses". NZ Transport Agency.
11. Lydall, Ross. (26 April 2013). "Police stop and search lorries to cut cycle deaths". [[London Evening Standard]].
12. Department for Transport - WebTag Unit 3.1 Highway Assignment Modelling
13. Video Datapad http://www.videodatapad.com/faq/standard-uk-vehicle-classification