For some reason that no one has yet been able to explain, we tend to over complicate things in the UK. The question of the difference between the PSV and PCV licence is a classic example. Some people say the two licences are entirely different, others say they are one the same. The truth actually lies in the middle. And, unfortunately, the confusion rests in the fact that the government switched gears in 1992 and, in so doing, generated a lot of misinformation.

The PSV licence was the standard licence required of both drivers and operators of Category D vehicles such as buses, coaches, and minibuses. Regulatory changes in 1992 technically abolished the PSV for drivers and replaced it with the PCV licence we are all familiar with today. In that sense, there is absolutely no difference between the two licences when it comes to professional drivers. The same cannot be said for operators.

The government still prefers to designate operator licences as PSV licences. What is the difference between the operator and a driver? An operator is the company or non-profit organisation that legally owns the Category D vehicles in question and is responsible for their operation on public roads. The driver simply drives the vehicles. That said, operators and owners can be one and the same. Any such cases would require both the operator and driving licences.

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Basics of the PCV / PSV Driving Licence

To prevent further confusion in this article, we will refer to the PCV / PSV licence for Category D drivers as simply the PCV licence. This way you will know that ‘PCV’ always refers to drivers. With that in mind, let us discuss the basics of the PCV driving licence for professionals.

The PCV licence is a Category D licence that comes in four ‘flavours’:

• Category D1 – This licence is for minibuses with a seating capacity of between nine and 16 passengers. It allows for towing a trailer of up to 750 kg simultaneously.
• Category D1+E – This licence is also for minibuses with a seating capacity of up to 16 but with trailers allowed in excess of 750 kg. The total weight of both tow vehicle and trailer cannot exceed 12 tonnes, and the weight of the trailer cannot exceed the unladen weight of the minibus towing it.
• Category D – The Category D licence allows you to drive a bus with a seating capacity greater than eight and a trailer of up to 750 kg.
• Category D+E – The Category D+E enables you to drive just about any coach or bus in the UK. You can also tow a trailer in excess of 750 kg simultaneously.

As we said earlier, the PSV licence was officially abolished for drivers in 1992. So even if you are attempting to earn what is billed as a PSV licence to become a professional driver, the above licence categories apply to you. You would need to choose which category best fits the types of vehicle you intend to drive professionally.

Earning your PCV licence involves selecting the appropriate training and then taking and passing all required tests. New Driver CPC requirements have transformed the old two-part testing system into a new system involving four tests. Those four tests are the theory test, the case studies test, the driving skills test, and the practical demonstration test.

Some additional things you need to know are as follows:

• Theory Test – The theory test is a two-part exam involving both multiple-choice and hazard avoidance. You must get 80% of the questions right on the first section and 67 on the second part to pass. You must pass both sections within two years of each other in order for them to remain valid.
• Case Studies – The cases studies test is a new test needed to meet initial CPC requirements. Upon passing this test and the eventual receipt of your commercial driving licence, you will be presented with a CPC card that acts as evidence that you are in compliance.
• Final Test – The driving skills and practical demonstration tests are usually taken during the same session at an approved testing facility. They are the final two tests you will need to pass to get your PCV licence.

The HGVT Training Services (HGV Training Centre) provides all the necessary classroom and behind-the-wheel training to prepare you to take and pass your tests. We utilise a fast-paced and intense training approach that increases your learning capacity while improving retention and recall. Our approach is proven to work by a first-time pass rate consistently above 90% across all of our training programmes.

Basics of the PSV Operator Licence

Because the government still prefers the PSV designation for operator licences, it is important that we address them here. We want to eliminate all confusion between driving and operator licences. Once again, the PSV designation is now reserved for operators in light of the driving licence being abolished more than two decades ago.

In order to legally use coaches, buses, or minibuses for commercial purposes in the UK, a PSV operator licence is required. The government defines commercial operation of PSV vehicles as:

• operating any vehicle with a seating capacity of nine or more for hire (this includes accepting any sort of reward including cash payment or the exchange of goods or services); or
• operating a vehicle with a capacity of fewer than nine yet charging separate fares for each passenger (this means taxicabs are included).

An operator licence demonstrates that vehicle owners possess the necessary knowledge to conduct their businesses in a way that complies with all regulations. Like that Category D licences for drivers, there are four different kinds of licences for operators:

• Standard Licence (National Operations) – This licence is for operating all qualifying vehicles in the UK only. According to government data, most PSV operators utilise this licence.
• Standard Licence (International Operations) – This licence is for operating qualifying vehicles both in the UK and abroad. Companies wishing to transport passengers throughout Europe need this licence.
• Restricted Licence – This licence is basically for small operators who run no more than two vehicles with a seating capacity of no more than eight per vehicle. There are some exceptions to the restrictions.
• Special Restricted Licence – This last licence is for local taxi operators. They are the only ones eligible to receive this licence as it is intended for local transport within 15 miles of a base of operations.

It should be clear from this description that the PSV operator licence is entirely different from the PCV driving licence. If you are planning to sign on with the HGVT Training Services (HGV Training Centre) to take one of our courses, you would be obviously interested in the driving licence. We do not train for the operator licence because there is nothing we can offer.

We hope this guide has cleared up any confusion you might have had about the PCV/PSV licence in the UK. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. One of our PCV specialists would be more than happy to answer your questions. If you are ready to begin training, contact us as soon as possible. We have new classes forming at all of our training facilities throughout the UK.

Our comprehensive training programme can have you fully trained and ready to obtain your licence in a matter of just a few weeks. There is no need for you to undergo long and cumbersome training that could take six months or longer to complete. We can get you in and out quickly without sacrificing quality.

Some Further Reading on PCV Careers

We understand that you may have a lot of questions about choosing to become a professional PCV driver. We are here to help you make the right decision so please don’t hesitate to call or email us at any time. The articles below may also help.

• Intensive Bus Driver Training For Your PCV Licence
• Find the Best Coach Driver Training Courses Near You Today!
• Get the Best PCV Minibus Licence Training in Your Location
• The UK PCV Driving Licence Explained
• The Road to a Career as a PCV Driver Starts Here
• Low Cost – Top Quality – PCV Driver Training Courses
• The Driver’s Guide to Passing Your PCV Licence
• Top Tips on How to Pass the PCV Theory Test
• The UK’s Top PCV Training Schools at Your Fingertips
• How to Really Compare PCV Training Costs