Category D Driving Licence

janullrich

Folks just would like ur advise. I am working in credit control at the moment. It is not what I want to do eventually but it is going well in these times. I want to get back into tourism and set up my own company (bus tours company). I am not planning to do it just yet but was thinking of going for the D Licence as regards driving the bus (have the B licence). I am not thinking of driving full-time professionally but think it may be useful in the future. Before I apply can someone advise if they have done it and what's involved (ie would there be a lot of hours that I would need regarding practice lessons - my job takes up a good bit of my day) How long does it take before the test, doing the theory etc? Any advise would be appreciated as I very much in 2 minds of whether it would be useful or if I am wasting my time.

Wishbone Ash

I did about 4 lessons for it. I found it easy enough but I already had both truck licences so I was accustomed to large vehicles. The test was straightforward. I can't recall anything out of the ordinary (apart from the totally understated tiny nod that my instructor gave me when I told him I'd passed).

Lessons were expensive when I did them and the test wait was a few weeks as far as I recall.

If you are going for it, use a manual bus. Most are automatic now but with an unrestricted licence you'll have more options.

Burtchaell

You will also need to have a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competency) which is another theory and practical test. Im not too sure what you mean by opening a tour company though?

Best of Luck with it anyway!

tormented

Janullrich, Ive jut pm'd you with a bus recommendation for lessons,

louth87

Janullrich, thinking of going for this myself soon, let us know how you get on?!

merc609

Hey, I done my d licence about 6 years ago or so now. I was fairly nervous then as i was still young when i did it (21) but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Not much different to a car licence once ya have a bit of experience with coaches size,lenth etc...
My own family runs a coach company so i wasnt too bad had a bit of knowlegde with buses.

I also done my cpc in jan 07. it was a different story, 18 weeks, 2 nights a week, 3 hours a night and a lot of study too. Have to go through a manual bout twice the size of a bible:D It was tough goin alot of hours required i had to give up my evening shift for the 18 weeks.

As for starting tour work id hang out for a while to see if things here pick up. I know alot of companys that have their coaches parked up at the moment and they dont pay for themselves sitting in a yard, no tours tis year to be had.

Hope to have helped in some way. Good luck with whatever you decide.:D