D1 + E Driver Category Courses

Adult Staff Staff Development
1

I’m wondering if there are any D1 + E category courses available through the ACO/MoD that we could get on. (particularly available to those in Scotland)

Most of our drivers on our sqn received their drivers licence after 1997, which the D1 category was removed after this year. We can only drive vehicles which have up to 8 passenger seats in them. The white fleet Transit minibuses are too big for non-D1 cat drivers to drive.

Also, not as importantly, there’s some interest in getting on a E category course, which enables the driver to take a trailer that weighs (loaded, including the weight of the trailer) more than 750kgs. This could prove useful for AT activities.

I’ve heard of one at Leconfield?

2

Whilst looking through the ACTOs (for something else) I found 151 (v1.0 uploaded 12/12/13) which is for the application for D1 course at Leconfield. :ohmy: I’ve never seen that before - so please excuse me for that! I’m guessing that’s the only one available?

What about E cat courses - anyone heard of anyone getting their E cat through the ACO? (for bike trailers, climbing walls, general kit on a trailer with a full minibus etc)

3

[quote=“Jonay1990” post=14752]Whilst looking through the ACTOs (for something else) I found 151 (v1.0 uploaded 12/12/13) which is for the application for D1 course at Leconfield. :ohmy: I’ve never seen that before - so please excuse me for that! I’m guessing that’s the only one available?

What about E cat courses - anyone heard of anyone getting their E cat through the ACO? (for bike trailers, climbing walls, general kit on a trailer with a full minibus etc)[/quote]
I’m going on the minibus course in a week or two. When I applied, the documentation mentioned the possibility of doing the E category as well. However, I know two people who have been on the course in the past, and they didn’t get their E cat. Also, the new forms don’t mention it anywhere.

4

Nope, still no E cat on the Leconfield courses as far as I am aware. It’s a case of paying to do it privately I think.

5

Roger to the above. They have the trailer, but no one has told them to run the course (allegedly).

Best (cheapest) to do D1 through leconfield, then use your existing SOV and trailer to book training/test for +E. IIRC it was about £600 when I last looked.

6

That document was only created recently, so don’t worry that you missed it! It is the only one available because Leconfield is the Defence School of Transport, so people from across the country go there.

If it makes it any easier for you, they always assume you’re staying in the mess for 2 weeks (the horror!) despite the course only being 1 week, so it could give you some flexibility WRT travelling from Scotland.

7

Some people in our wing have done their +E at Odiham (our parent unit) having done their D1 at Leconfield

8

That’s very interesting - can you give any more details? Who to speak to etc., as Odiham would be do-able for us as well.

9

I know a few who’ve got +E included on their FMT600, but not the +E category for their actually licence?? Would be interested in hear more if Odiham are rolling this out!

10

Indeed, that’s what I fear this may be - only +E on the FMT600 rather than a real licence.

11

I’ll ask how it come to be but I am 100% certain it was the actually qual as they kept his driving licence and wanted him to drive to Odiham to pick it up after it had been processed by the DVLA.

12

Unless he sat a test with a civvie, leconfield is the ONLY military establishment which can take licenses and submit to DVLA with pass certificates.

13

Not nesseccarily as our local base (Lossie) did have 2 qualified instructors to carry out D1 tests and have carried out at least 1 test ~ 3-4 years ago. But recently they have not carried out as they are too busy. Always useful to check locally to see if there is the option.
Is not Leconsfield mainly Army, but have the ablity to carry out D1 for the ATC?

14

Leconfield is the Defence driving school, so tri-service, but Army lead.

However (and take this with a massive pinch of salt), I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it written down that, due to the volume of people needing to be trained, Leconfield were devolving the responsibility for training drivers down to some MT sections. This was with reference to Cat C training and one particular RAF station.

15

I bet they are looking forward to the influx of people from the ATC wanting to undertake D1 now that we have clear guidelines…

16

I know a few who’ve got +E included on their FMT600, but not the +E category for their actually licence?? Would be interested in hear more if Odiham are rolling this out![/quote]

I guess that would be for towing the gliding caravan around the base only? (I’m guessing there’s a VGS at Odiham ofcourse…)

It would be interesting if the holder thought that this enabled them to drive on the public road!

17

Unless he sat a test with a civvie, leconfield is the ONLY military establishment which can take licenses and submit to DVLA with pass certificates.[/quote]

not true, I did my Cat C at Odiham, test at Aldershot with an Army Tester

18

I am on my phone and in a rush. So apologies if I am duplicating anything said before.

The DST Leconfield as far as I am aware dont offer minibus/Arctic lorry training (note they do however do C+E) unless your in certain trades.

Within my branch certainly we would have to apply seperately. Sit a theory test. Go to Glasgow to sit a practical and theory test. Before going on to Leconsfeild to sit the actual tests.

Thats just my experience with it. Anyone similar or very different?

19

AFAIK the minibus training and testing is only for the ATC (or for cadet forces in general?)

20

Nope. Regulars from RAF can attend the D1 course at Leconfield.