Programme HGV-PDFR-8W · version 1.2
HGV Professional Driver and Freight Responsibility Programme
Each week has a practical purpose, measurable evidence and a clear gateway to the next stage.
What the eight weeks include
| Element | Indicative volume | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Live theory and professional practice | About 66 guided hours | Three days a week for six weeks plus two full days in week 8 — classroom or live online, with attendance evidence |
| Structured digital learning | 20 to 30 hours | Short lessons, knowledge checks, scenarios and revision |
| Practical vehicle training | Typically 16 to 20 vehicle hours for direct C+E | A five-day practical block shared two learners to a vehicle: yard and off-road manoeuvres, then on-road driving |
| Assessment and employability | Built into the weeks above | Diagnostics, mock tests, a mock drive, capstone, interview preparation and an employer panel |
Licence pathways
We agree the right pathway with you before you start. The pathway sets which official tests you prepare for; it does not guarantee a licence, a test date or a job.
Direct C+E
From a car licence straight to the articulated (C+E) category — our usual pathway for new drivers.
Category C
The rigid-lorry category only, for roles that do not need an articulated licence.
Staged: C, then C+E
Category C first, then a second off-road and on-road test pair for C+E when you are ready.
The 16-week programme envelope
Teaching runs for eight weeks. Checks before you start, and official tests, resits and job support afterwards, sit in a wider window of up to 16 weeks.
Before you start
Up to 6 weeks before
Eligibility and identity checks, the D4 medical and D2 provisional application, your learner agreement, theory-study access and test slots reserved.
Theory and professional core
Weeks 1 to 3
Road rules, hazard perception, drivers' hours, freight security and the theory and case-study tests, sat with DVSA.
Practical
Weeks 4 to 6
A practical safety sign-off before any on-road driving, a five-day practical block, a mock drive and the off-road and on-road tests.
Employability and capstone
Weeks 7 and 8
Customer sites and conduct, CV and interviews, an employer panel, the final assessment and capstone, and the practical-demonstration test.
Tests and outcomes
Weeks 9 to 16
Time for any resits and outstanding tests, your Driver Qualification Card and job support, with check-in calls after you start work.
Week by week
Week
1
Induction and professional identity
Main learning
Induction, code of conduct, safeguarding and Prevent, health and safety, a diagnostic assessment, and Module 1: professional driver identity.
Practice and evidence
Identity and licence verification; individual learning plan; baseline English, digital and theory assessment.
Gateway
Code of conduct signed and the Module 1 check passed.
Week
2
HGV road rules and hazard perception
Main learning
Module 2: HGV road rules, vehicle dimensions, braking, vulnerable road users and hazard perception.
Practice and evidence
Daily quizzes; hazard clips; theory mock test.
Gateway
At least 80% on the theory mock, or assigned remediation.
Week
3
Hours, fatigue and freight security — theory tests
Main learning
Modules 3 and 4: drivers' hours, tachographs, working time and fatigue; freight security and delivery documents.
Practice and evidence
Scenario workbook; tachograph exercises; theory, hazard-perception and case-study tests sat with DVSA.
Gateway
Theory and case-study results, or a documented resit plan.
Week
4
Safeguarding, vehicle checks and yard safety
Main learning
Modules 5 and 6: safeguarding, equality and reporting concerns; walkaround checks, defects, coupling and uncoupling; yard familiarisation.
Practice and evidence
Observed practical checklist; defect report.
Gateway
Practical safety sign-off by a named instructor before any on-road driving.
Week
5
Practical block (group A)
Main learning
Load security, weights, route planning and eco-driving; five-day practical block with off-road then on-road tests at the end of the block.
Practice and evidence
Instructor lesson records; a mock drive assessed against the DVSA marking sheet.
Gateway
Mock drive passed before the on-road test.
Week
6
Practical block (group B)
Main learning
Emergency response, incident reporting and roadside checks; practical block for the second group; coaching for the practical-demonstration test.
Practice and evidence
Instructor lesson records; coaching log.
Gateway
Mock drive passed before each learner's on-road test.
Week
7
Conduct, customers and the employer panel
Main learning
Module 7: customer sites, etiquette, conflict, lone working and wellbeing; employer panel; practical-demonstration tests.
Practice and evidence
Role-play; employer panel feedback.
Gateway
Interview-ready profile approved.
Week
8
Interviews, final assessment and capstone
Main learning
Module 8: CV and interviews; the final assessment (20 questions, 60 minutes) and observed capstone; any remaining tests; certificate issued and an interview offered.
Practice and evidence
Final knowledge exam; observed capstone; evidence pack.
Gateway
Completion reviewed and confirmed by staff.
Scheduling note
Course versions