LGV/HGV training

[harley munky]

hey guys just trying to find out if theres anywhere in the uk that can cater for disabled driver to take lgv/hgv lisence.

i have 2 prostectic legs and passed my driving test in an automatic with hand controls to operate the gas and brake.

iv seen theres automatic trucks out there but are there any centers that have them/ have them with adaptions?

id love to get my lisence and do european deliveries

thanks in advance

[jagracer]

Can you pass the medical? I've recently had my 5 yearly one and it seems to be more and more strict every time I take it.

[harley munky]

whats different in the medical to the car medical? do you mean the eye and blood pressure test ect?
iv swam for the british paralympic team for the last 11 years so im as fit as a very fit thing . blood pressure fine,eye sight fine. i can safley enter/exit a lorry cab.
im a qualified scuba diver aswell so iv past extensive medicals

Edited by harley munky on Wednesday 18th January 20:08

[jagracer]

No idea what a medical for a car is like as I've never had one, medical form here http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_...

[harley munky]

thanks for the link. had a look through and its no different to medicals iv had for scuba diving.

[7mike]

Have you tried the organisation which assessed you for your adapted vehicle? Maybe they have contacts?

Have a look here:

http://www.mobility-centres.org.uk/
"Generally, advice is confined to cars rather than motorcycles or heavy goods vehicles. For further information upon these latter type of assessments contact your local Centre (see Find a Centre) or call our free phone number 0800 559 3636."

Also http://www.qef.org.uk/

and a quick bit of Googling turned up this if you are anywhere near Exeter:

http://www.adtt.co.uk/index-4.html

I'm sure Rog will pick up this thread, he has plenty experience in the industry maybe he can advise.
Best of luck.

[harley munky]

thanks for that. i have already emailed the place in exeter. awaiting a reply.
all i had to do for my car test was a form signed off from my gp and then the test as normal

[Humper]

Sorry to be on a bit of a downer, but there's more to driving than driving, so to speak. I'll guess you'll struggle to find anywhere geared up for training. But before spending a large amount of money, you need to answer a few questions, you're obviously a better swimmer than me but can you climb in the back of a trailer, push a pallet truck with a ton on it? Drag a sticky curtain, can you manage stairs?(many RDC's have offices far away from the bays and up flights of stairs) Do you have someone who will give you a job? In an ideal world your disability wouldn't be an issue, but realistically you'll know the fact it's not an ideal world.

But, more to the point, ignoring the disability completely, ask yourself in the current climate who is going to give a newly qualified driver a wagon circa 100k, a load of similar money, and send him to another country? Drivers with years of experience are finding it difficult to get work.

But, if long hours, crap pay, poor facilities and ever increasing red tape get you going, go for it and good luck

[WhoseGeneration]

Well, I hope the OP can find a way to fulfill his ambition. He wants to work, not sit on benefits.
He is enthusiatic, something any potential employer should welcome, I would hope.
Our Government wants people in work, so, it should provide the means for those who want to.

[R0G]

Even if you pass the D4 medical it will flag up your disability and then DVLA will consult with the Traffic Commissioner in your area to decide whether you can proceed to get a LGV provisional or not.

No training schools have an auto LGV for training so they would have to hire one and that extra cost would be added to your training fees

If it does go ahead then you might be able to get financial aid from a charity

I wish you well in your quest but be realistic and be prepared for a big fat NO

ROG - LGV instructor from 2005 to 2008

PS - just read your post in more detail - there are no LGVs on the road that I am aware of which have no foot controls

[R0G]

As an aside ...
you can do the advanced driver training and test in your current vehicle