C1 7.5 Tonne Training (Ambulance & Courier)

Qualify to drive ambulances, delivery vehicles and high-value courier vans. C1 covers vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, which makes it the licence for NHS and private ambulance roles, medical logistics and professional courier work.

What does C1 training cost?

Training price: £600 + VAT. For a complete package including the DVSA fees, the total is £875 all in, covering three days of one-to-one training, the Off-Road Exercises Test (£40) and the On-Road Driving Test (£115). DVSA fees are not VAT-rated, so they are added after VAT rather than before it.

What is a C1 licence?

Category C1 lets you drive a vehicle between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you may already hold C1 automatically, so check your photocard before booking anything. If you passed after that date you need to take the test, and that is what this course prepares you for.

Our full guide covers this in detail: what is a C1 licence?

Do I need C1 to drive an ambulance?

For most front-line and patient transport vehicles, yes. Ambulance trusts and private providers generally require C1 because the vehicles exceed 3.5 tonnes fully loaded. Check the specific role, but C1 is the standard requirement.

How long does it take?

Three days of training, once your medical, provisional entitlement and theory test are complete.

Where do I train and test?

Training is at our Sittingbourne centre with DVSA-approved instructors on modern, test-ready vehicles. You test at the Gillingham DVSA test centre.

What can you earn?

Starting salaries for C1 drivers in Kent average over £30,000 a year, with good job security and clear progression into larger vehicles. Call 01795 667 008 to get started.