Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Vamps on 05 September 2014, 22:30:30
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Whilst not currently driving Coaches I still have a licence to do so, reading a comment in another thread got me thinking..... ::) ::)
More so in the 80's and later as a mature student in the mid to late 90's I used to do Coach Driving on a part time basis.
My question is, with modern service stations being what they are do the drives still get fed for free, I remember going to the front of the Que, signing a book and ordering what you liked at any motorway service station. I also remember getting free fish and chips in Blackpool and Scarborough when they noticed your 'badge' which in the old days you had to wear on display.
I also remember my mate and myself often going to Washington services in the car for out tea, taking our badges with us and getting free food; oh the good old days............. :D
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Whilst not currently driving Coaches I still have a licence to do so, reading a comment in another thread got me thinking..... ::) ::)
More so in the 80's and later as a mature student in the mid to late 90's I used to do Coach Driving on a part time basis.
My question is, with modern service stations being what they are do the drives still get fed for free, I remember going to the front of the Que, signing a book and ordering what you liked at any motorway service station. I also remember getting free fish and chips in Blackpool and Scarborough when they noticed your 'badge' which in the old days you had to wear on display.
I also remember my mate and myself often going to Washington services in the car for out tea, taking our badges with us and getting free food; oh the good old days............. :D
It would seem so Mike, the driver just shows his 'work ticket' in lieu of the badge ;)
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Whilst not currently driving Coaches I still have a licence to do so, reading a comment in another thread got me thinking..... ::) ::)
More so in the 80's and later as a mature student in the mid to late 90's I used to do Coach Driving on a part time basis.
My question is, with modern service stations being what they are do the drives still get fed for free, I remember going to the front of the Que, signing a book and ordering what you liked at any motorway service station. I also remember getting free fish and chips in Blackpool and Scarborough when they noticed your 'badge' which in the old days you had to wear on display.
I also remember my mate and myself often going to Washington services in the car for out tea, taking our badges with us and getting free food; oh the good old days............. :D
It would seem so Mike, the driver just shows his 'work ticket' in lieu of the badge ;)
Thanks Seth.... ;) ;) do you think a badge would still work? Not seriously, I hardly ever end up in a motorway service station these days........ :D :D
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you may have a valid licence but you now need a drivers CPC as of the 09/09/2014 so have fun
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Whilst not currently driving Coaches I still have a licence to do so, reading a comment in another thread got me thinking..... ::) ::)
More so in the 80's and later as a mature student in the mid to late 90's I used to do Coach Driving on a part time basis.
My question is, with modern service stations being what they are do the drives still get fed for free, I remember going to the front of the Que, signing a book and ordering what you liked at any motorway service station. I also remember getting free fish and chips in Blackpool and Scarborough when they noticed your 'badge' which in the old days you had to wear on display.
I also remember my mate and myself often going to Washington services in the car for out tea, taking our badges with us and getting free food; oh the good old days............. :D
It would seem so Mike, the driver just shows his 'work ticket' in lieu of the badge ;)
Thanks Seth.... ;) ;) do you think a badge would still work? Not seriously, I hardly ever end up in a motorway service station these days........ :D :D
The thought of eating in a motorway service station is mildly terrifying, free or not...
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Most services now operate a coaches club, enquire when you abandon,the vehicle. :)
Also if you haven't completed 35hrs cpc training as of 5/9/14. you cant drive a coach or hgv.
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Most services now operate a coaches club, enquire when you abandon,the vehicle. :)
Also if you haven't completed 35hrs cpc training as of 5/9/14. you cant drive a coach or hgv.
you may have a valid licence but you now need a drivers CPC as of the 09/09/2014 so have fun
To drive vocationally ;)
So long as you renew your LGV/PCV licence when due, you retain the entitlement ;)
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Whilst not currently driving Coaches I still have a licence to do so, reading a comment in another thread got me thinking..... ::) ::)
More so in the 80's and later as a mature student in the mid to late 90's I used to do Coach Driving on a part time basis.
My question is, with modern service stations being what they are do the drives still get fed for free, I remember going to the front of the Que, signing a book and ordering what you liked at any motorway service station. I also remember getting free fish and chips in Blackpool and Scarborough when they noticed your 'badge' which in the old days you had to wear on display.
I also remember my mate and myself often going to Washington services in the car for out tea, taking our badges with us and getting free food; oh the good old days............. :D
I know for a fact at Maidstone services they do not feed anyone as a rule. The reason behind was due to Kent police as they used to feed the motorway guys until a coach load of plod turned up one day, so from then on in they decided it was worth it >:(
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If you hold a valid hgv or psv. And you haven't completed 35hrs of training you cannot drive a psv or coach. Your licence may be vaild, but isn't worth owt,unless you have a valid dqc card. No dqc no drivee
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The thought of eating in a motorway service station is mildly terrifying, free or not...
My only reason for EVER stopping at a motorway services is if I am bursting for a pee or I really am very VERY VERY desperate for fuel ::)
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The thought of eating in a motorway service station is mildly terrifying, free or not...
My only reason for EVER stopping at a motorway services is if I am bursting for a pee or I really am very VERY VERY desperate for fuel ::)
I never stop at services if the kids need a wee tough ;D
especially as last time I stopped in services I got fleeced nearly 15 quid for breakfast :o
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Got to agree with biggriffin....you will have to bring yourself up to speed with the CPC..have just done mine for my PCV as it's now a requirement for continuing in employment for both industries. :y
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The thing you need to ask is, will you drive professionally again, if no then don't bother renewing your entitlement,when you need a medical its a cost thing.anything from £50 to £120 just for a,medical,then £200+ for 35hrs,of cpc training
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you may have a valid licence but you now need a drivers CPC as of the 09/09/2014 so have fun
Yes, thanks, I know about that, I also have HGV.......... :y :y
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Most services now operate a coaches club, enquire when you abandon,the vehicle. :)
Also if you haven't completed 35hrs cpc training as of 5/9/14. you cant drive a coach or hgv.
Coaches/buses were 2013, and CPC only required if you are employed to drive. Wouldn't apply to a person driving a horse box with their own pets, but as soon as the horse does summat where a prize is involved then it becomes commercial and the CPC is required, not to mention then also needing an Operators Licence ::)
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Most services now operate a coaches club, enquire when you abandon,the vehicle. :)
Also if you haven't completed 35hrs cpc training as of 5/9/14. you cant drive a coach or hgv.
Coaches/buses were 2013, and CPC only required if you are employed to drive. Wouldn't apply to a person driving a horse box with their own pets, but as soon as the horse does summat where a prize is involved then it becomes commercial and the CPC is required, not to mention then also needing an Operators Licence ::)
And has caused all sorts of problems, My SIL sold their truck, bought my Jeep and a Horsebox, yet by brother has a CPC. I suspect there are loads of truck mounted Horse Boxes fouling this law as all? competitions are for prizes and money exchanges hands......
No one in any capacity I have spoken with has any positive thoughts on this, other that the Course is easy and many companies will pay for the training............ :-X :-X
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The thing you need to ask is, will you drive professionally again, if no then don't bother renewing your entitlement,when you need a medical its a cost thing.anything from £50 to £120 just for a,medical,then £200+ for 35hrs,of cpc training
That's exactly where I'm at with my HGV which lapsed in May. I've no CPC and the local Quacks want £100 for the medical. ::)
Is it worth it? :-\ I might do it at some point as having the HGV has been handy in the past. ::)
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The thing you need to ask is, will you drive professionally again, if no then don't bother renewing your entitlement,when you need a medical its a cost thing.anything from £50 to £120 just for a,medical,then £200+ for 35hrs,of cpc training
That's exactly where I'm at with my HGV which lapsed in May. I've no CPC and the local Quacks want £100 for the medical. ::)
Is it worth it? :-\ I might do it at some point as having the HGV has been handy in the past. ::)
I guess that depends if you want to drive again for payment, I am uncertain, but it could fit in nicely with an early retirement plan........ :-\ :-\
My GP has never changed me for a medical, I did lose both HGV and PSV for a period because of health, no charge from GP to get them back :y :y
I have looked at courses to do the CPC, the cost is not to bad, and many a company will pay and facilitate it, hence it remains part of my retirement plan, along with other options..... :) :)
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The Cpc works out at around £15 per hour based on the modules I did, but I believe that you now need to do 35 hours before you can drive commercially as the date mentioned was the date you needed to have completed it by :-\
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Just done my cpc last week.
Bottom line is if the vehicle you are driving weighs over 3 1/2 ton and you make money out of it (either directly or indirectly) you have to have a cpc card and a electronic tachograph card.
Beware lads, VOSA the bastids or DVSA as they like to be known as nowdays are self funded, they are on a mission to shaft as many drivers as possible. Well that's if your British anyway ;) As all oofers who drive for a living will know, our friends from the continent tend to get away with murder >:( >:( >:(
Acting dumb / ignorance is no longer accepted no matter how much you flutter your eye lashes ;D
DVSA's attitude is once you have the cpc card there is no excuse whatsoever and aim to rape your bank balance as much as possible >:( >:(
Read this from page 18 onwards and weep :(
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/344447/enforcement-sanctions-policy.pdf
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Just done my cpc last week.
Bottom line is if the vehicle you are driving weighs over 3 1/2 ton and you make money out of it (either directly or indirectly) you have to have a cpc card and a electronic tachograph card.
Beware lads, VOSA the bastids or DVSA as they like to be known as nowdays are self funded, they are on a mission to shaft as many drivers as possible. Well that's if your British anyway ;) As all oofers who drive for a living will know, our friends from the continent tend to get away with murder >:( >:( >:(
Acting dumb / ignorance is no longer accepted no matter how much you flutter your eye lashes ;D
DVSA's attitude is once you have the cpc card there is no excuse whatsoever and aim to rape your bank balance as much as possible >:( >:(
Read this from page 18 onwards and weep :(
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/344447/enforcement-sanctions-policy.pdf
I can see a shortage of professional drivers if they bring all those fines in..... :o :o :o
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Just done my cpc last week.
Bottom line is if the vehicle you are driving weighs over 3 1/2 ton and you make money out of it (either directly or indirectly) you have to have a cpc card and a electronic tachograph card.
Beware lads, VOSA the bastids or DVSA as they like to be known as nowdays are self funded, they are on a mission to shaft as many drivers as possible. Well that's if your British anyway ;) As all oofers who drive for a living will know, our friends from the continent tend to get away with murder >:( >:( >:(
Acting dumb / ignorance is no longer accepted no matter how much you flutter your eye lashes ;D
DVSA's attitude is once you have the cpc card there is no excuse whatsoever and aim to rape your bank balance as much as possible >:( >:(
Read this from page 18 onwards and weep :(
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/344447/enforcement-sanctions-policy.pdf
Whilst that is their attitude the reality falls down on some key points:-
1 There is no national syllabus so training centres can all have variations on their approved courses, and
2 There is nothing to stop a driver, especially a freelance/agency driver, doing the same course 5 times. He's done the hours so gets the card. Ask me how I know.
Personally I think CPC has been a missed opportunity to improve knowledge. Hopefully the system will evolve before 2019 when I next have to worry about it.
Lost count of the number of drivers I've sat on courses with who moan that it's just another tax then in the next breath wondering aloud why they regularly collect infringement letters.
One saving grace, I've yet to meet a driver who has actually been 'done' by vosa/dvsa and though I have seen wagons prohibited at the various inspection sites most of them look easy targets.
Fwiw I had to fund my own 'training', 5 days at c£70 a pop. Plus of course a day off work or give up a rest day. Permanently employed drivers (at least the ones I know) get it gratis and most see it as a cushy shift, but I've yet to find a permanent employer whose idea of holiday entitlement meets with mine.
Thanks to Tigers for the link to the sanctions policy. I've never been able to find it. One saving grace, I've yet to meet a driver who has actually been 'done' by vosa/dvsa and though I have seen wagons prohibited at the various inspection sites most of them look easy targets.
Steve
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I'm lucky, Deflog or TIR training did mine.
5 days / 35 hours minimum sat in a classroom. Must say though, DVSA (who's inspection garages was around the corner) walked into the classroom twice and sat at the back listening ::) The look on some of the drivers faces was a picture on the second time because one of the lads had just had a 12 month ban ;D
Being run by ex army transport squaddies, it was pretty informative BUT we had a good laugh at the same time :y
Also, I got it for nothing too so even better :D :D
I'm lucky that I past my test in 1987 so I can drive anything upto 7 ton on my licence and have done tbh :y