6.1 Provisional Vocational Entitlement

• Anyone learning to drive a vocational vehicle must have provisional entitlement for the relevant category.
• To obtain C1 or C provisional entitlement, the applicant must hold a full Category B entitlement.
• Since staged LGV testing was introduced, a driver cannot go directly from Category B to C+E.
• The normal route is B → C → C+E.

6.2 First Application

• The training material states that the first application for provisional entitlement for a goods vehicle over 3,500 kg MAM is made to DVLA Swansea on Form D2.
• The application is accompanied by the ordinary Category B licence.
• A completed medical report on Form D4 is required.
• The medical examination cannot normally be more than 4 months before the licence comes into force.
• Applications should be made in good time.
• The material states that an application should not be made more than 3 months before the licence is required and suggests allowing about a month for processing.
• The material states there was no charge for issue of a provisional vocational licence.

6.3 Full Entitlement

• After all required tests are passed, the pass certificates are sent to DVLA for issue of the full entitlement.
• Once Category C has been passed and issued, it provides the provisional entitlement needed for C+E training and testing.

6.4 Disclosure of Convictions

• Applicants for vocational entitlement must declare relevant convictions.
• These include convictions for drivers' hours or records offences.
• Convictions concerning vehicle roadworthiness or loading must also be disclosed.
• Endorsements on the ordinary driving licence can be considered when deciding whether additional vocational entitlement should be granted.
• A person disqualified from holding a Category B licence will not be granted provisional vocational entitlement.