Best HGV Training in Cosham (Direct-Access C+E, C, C1, D1/D1+E & CPC)
If you’re based in Cosham (Portsmouth) and want a calm, professional route to your HGV or minibus licence, GS Driver Training has you covered. We coach on modern vehicles, use real test routes, and manage the full process—medical, DVLA provisional, theory, Module 3a (reverse & couple/uncouple), Module 3b (on-road), Initial & Periodic CPC—so you can focus on building skills that examiners and employers trust.
Train at: GS Driver Training, Dunsfold Aerodrome, Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh, GU6 8TB
Call: 01252 447808
Email: sales@gsdrivertraining.com
Why learners from Cosham choose GS Driver Training
- Go straight to Class 1 (C+E). You do not need to pass Cat C first. Our fast-track direct-access C+E puts you in an artic from day one, saves time, and builds trailer skills earlier.
- Course hours that fit your experience. For C+E we offer 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40-hour options. We’ll recommend the shortest plan that still gets you comfortably test-ready.
- Real-world, test-ready coaching. We build habits examiners love: observation rhythm, positioning, speed/space planning, clean couple/uncouple, and confident decision-making.
- Everything under one roof. D4 medicals, DVLA forms, targeted theory prep, 3a/3b tests, Initial CPC (Modules 2 & 4) and 35-hour Periodic CPC—sensibly sequenced to keep momentum.
- Schedules that fit real life. Evenings, weekends, or intensives—ideal for learners commuting from Cosham, Hilsea, Portchester, Drayton, Havant and wider Portsmouth.
- Modern training fleet. Smooth gearboxes, predictable braking, and excellent visibility help you master safe technique and deliver a tidy drive.
Courses we run (and how we teach them)
Category C+E (Class 1 — Articulated) Direct Access
Best for: ports, RDCs, trunking, long-distance.Built in:
- Module 3a (off-road): simple reference-point reverse + clean, consistent couple/uncouple.
- Module 3b (on-road): anticipation, lane choice, spacing, rural/dual-carriageway polish, and calm hazard response.
- Professional finish: defect control, load stability, paperwork habits, and a repeatable test-day routine.Pick your hours: 24 / 28 / 32 / 36 / 40 — we’ll steer you to the right block.
Category C (Class 2 — Rigid)
Best for: supermarket fleets, construction, pallet networks, local authority contracts.
Focus: roundabout strategy, lane discipline, urban hazard planning, dual carriageways, and stress-free manoeuvres.
Category C1 (3.5–7.5t)
Best for: ambulance, utilities, removals, horseboxes.
Focus: daily checks, tight-space control, smooth braking, safe loading, confident town/rural driving.
D1 (Minibus, 9–16 seats)
Best for: schools, care providers, charities, community transport.
Focus: passenger safety, accessibility, low-speed finesse, route planning, and legal compliance.
D1+E (Minibus + trailer)
Hour options: 8, 12, or 16 (based on your starting point).
You’ll master: legal limits, nose-weight and balance, trailer checks, coupling/uncoupling, bay reverse, and “train-length” awareness on the road.
Driver CPC (Initial & Periodic)
- Initial CPC: Module 2 Case Studies + Module 4 Practical Demonstration (load security, vulnerable road users, security, emergencies, documentation).
- Periodic CPC: 35 hours every 5 years. Popular modules: drivers’ hours & WTD, city restrictions & low bridges, safe loading, fuel-efficient driving, road risk, and driver wellbeing.
Note: If you’ll drive for hire or reward, CPC is required. Not driving commercially? You may not need CPC—ask and we’ll confirm based on your plans.
Fast-Track to Class 1 (C+E) from Cosham
For many Portsmouth-area learners, direct-access C+E is the smart move:
- You skip the interim Cat C test.
- You build artic + trailer skills earlier.
- You train directly for the roles local fleets are hiring for.
Choose 24, 28, 32, 36, or 40 hours based on experience, confidence, and how quickly you pick things up. We keep it efficient—never bloated.
Your step-by-step path to a pass
- Plan & paperwork: Tell us your target licence and deadline. We’ll book the D4 medical, handle provisional upgrades, and build a schedule that fits work and family.
- Theory—done right: Use focused materials and realistic mocks for multiple-choice and hazard perception. We highlight the traps that trip people up.
- Off-road pad (Module 3a): Learn a repeatable reverse with clear reference points. Practise couple/uncouple until it’s muscle memory—clean, safe, consistent.
- On-road polish (Module 3b): We build a professional drive: mirror timing, positioning, planning, and measured decisions through town, rural routes, and dual carriageways.
- Test week—streamlined: We line up 3a, 3b, and CPC (if needed) to keep momentum. Expect a structured warm-up and a calm, predictable routine for nerves.
- Pass & progress: We’ll guide your next steps—CPC completion, employer expectations, and quick routes into work.
Skills that pass tests and impress employers
- Observation & anticipation you can sustain under pressure
- Speed & space management that avoids last-second scrambles
- Positioning discipline in busy towns and on fast roads
- Load awareness & stability to protect cargo and your record
- Defect checks & reporting so vehicles stay legal and safe
- Clear communication with banksmen, yards, customers, and the public
These habits lower test faults and reduce on-the-job incidents.
Getting to us from Cosham
By Car (commuter-friendly route)
- Join the A3(M)/A3 north toward Guildford.
- Either take the A283 via Witley/Chiddingfold to Dunsfold, or continue to the A31 (Hogs Back) and then the A281 toward Cranleigh/Horsham.
- Turn onto Stovolds Hill for Dunsfold Aerodrome (GU6 8TB).
- Free on-site parking; we’ll share a pin-drop when you book.(Drive times vary with traffic and your chosen route.)
By train + Taxi (often the simplest public-transport combo)
- Travel Cosham → Havant → Guildford (SWR).
- From Guildford station, a taxi to Dunsfold Aerodrome takes ~20–25 minutes.
Bus
- Regular services run into Guildford and Cranleigh from surrounding towns.
- From Cranleigh village, a short taxi completes the trip.
- Weekend timetables can vary—check before you travel.
FAQs (Best HGV Training in Cosham)
Q. Do I need Cat C before C+E
Ans: No—you can go straight to C+E. Pick 24/28/32/36/40 hours to match your experience.
Q. How long will it all take?
Ans: That depends on licence path, schedule, and test dates. We offer evenings, weekends, and intensives to keep things moving.
Q. Is Driver CPC mandatory?
Ans: If you’ll drive for hire or reward, yes: Initial CPC, then 35 hours every five years. Not commercial? You may not need it—ask us.
Q. Can you help with theory?
Ans: Absolutely—structured study plans, mock tests, and instructor tips for a first-time pass.
Q. Reversing worries me—can you fix that?
Ans: Yes. We teach a clear, reference-point method on the 3a pad. After a few drills, most learners relax and nail it.
Q. Do you run D1+E?
Ans: Yes—8, 12, and 16-hour options. We’ll recommend the right one after a quick chat.
Q. Do you offer flexible payments?
Ans: Ask our team about current payment options.
Book your HGV training from Cosham today
Whether you need C1, Cat C, direct-access C+E (24/28/32/36/40 hrs), D1, D1+E (8/12/16 hrs) or Driver CPC, we’ll build a plan that fits your life and gets you test-ready with confidence.
GS Driver Training Dunsfold Aerodrome, Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh, GU6 8TB
Call: 01252 447808
Email: sales@gsdrivertraining.com
Most-booked by Cosham learners:
- Direct-Access C+E — 24 / 28 / 32 / 36 / 40 hours
- Cat C (Class 2) — Rigid HGV
- Cat C1 — 3.5–7.5t (incl. ambulance)
- D1 (Minibus) & D1+E — 8 / 12 / 16 hours
- Driver CPC — Initial & 35-hour Periodic
Train smart. Pass first time. Drive a better future.