C1 Lessons in Dublin Area

I've looked into it before, very few driving schools with C1 vehicles, the logic being you may as well just get the C license rather than restrict yourself to C1.

There's one place with a C1 vehicle in Naas and possibly another by the Airport.

It's the best part of €2,000 to prepare and do a C license test.
You might as well get the C license because it costs the same as the C1.

C1 is way easier than C. For C you must do test on 17t HGV and learn how to use a split box ( 8 gears in a single H pattern, eg. 1st. & 5th. are in the same position etc.)
A C1 test can be done in something like a heavy Sprinter or Iveco Daily which have regular gearboxes and are similar to the average motorhome to drive.

Be careful.
A phone quote with no assessment of your driving ability?
I am not having a go at you.
Between 1998 and 2010, I have done 3 different classes of driving tests, B,C, and EC.
Both the C and EC cost about €1500 each, when you add in things like medical certs, theory tests and vehicle hire for the test.
From my experience, a 10 lesson pack is necessary because there is no longer a specific test route.
Now testers have the ability to change a route or direction during a test.

I needed a C1 for when I got my Euramobil, Found it so hard to find someone in the Dublin area and then who did not want to try and sell me a large block of lessons! After searching for a while, I found Dessie in Kildare Driving School, Based in Naas. I asked him for how much for a block of lessons, He asked why I wanted a block and I explained i thought it was the norm. He told me come down and do 1 lesson to see how I got on. What was brilliant was that Dessie has a 5.5 tonne sprinter which is the same as a standard sprinter only with a double rear axle! Anyway, went down and did the one lesson, Dessie was very happy with my driving and suggested just one more on the morning of my test, He also let me hire the sprinter for the test... Long story short, I passed first time and could not recommend Dessie highly enough! I know after sending people his way he also has rigid trucks too!

Here is a link to his site:
https://www.drivinglessonkildare.ie/beginner-lessons

My B license is up for renewal soon, might look at a C1 learner permit at the same time. Naas would be handy enough for a couple of lessons, might give him a call.

I would go for the C1 if that's all you need,no point doing a test in a big vehicle if you don't have to, more to deal with during the test , I've an EC ,so I have done the C test, no idea of present costs though

C1 it is then. I'll sort out the learner permit and give Dessie a call.

For the C1 the medical is required too. Last year, being otherwise healthy, my medical consisted of an eye test and a check that I could look over my shoulders.

Well done Bryan, I'm sure you realise now, that there is very little difference between driving a motorhome and a truck, and you will have had great training, does this mean you will be moving up to a more spacious van?

Cheers Martin,

I'll most likely just be looking to get the current van uprated to 3850kg which was a no cost factory option so I'm guessing it should be straight forward.

We're pretty much at the limit, length wise, for the size of van we can park on the drive. I have however identified a different layout which might work better as the 3 lads are getting older but it's a bit of a unicorn.