Craig Baker Driver Training

Craig Baker Driver Training: HGV, PCV and C1 licence training across the UK

Craig Baker Driver Training is a professional driver training school based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, that prepares candidates for HGV, PCV and C1 licences and related qualifications. The school states that it has more than 20 years of experience and describes itself as a top-rated HGV driving school in the UK. Its instructors are in-house staff who take learners from a first lesson through to test readiness, and the company says its pass rate is over 20% above the national average.

The business operates as Craig Baker Driver Training LTD, registered in England and Wales under company number 12546627, with VAT registration number 363854766. Its registered office is listed at Office F10 & F11, CT3, Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5BA, and it also gives a registered address at Bradley Hall Lane, Wigan, WN6 0XQ. Visits to its sites are by appointment only; the company states that walk-ins are not accepted.

HGV and LGV courses from 7.5 tonnes to Class 1

The HGV side of the school covers the full range from C1 (7.5 tonnes) up to Class 1 (44 tonnes). Specific courses listed include LGV Class 1 (Cat CE), HGV Licence Class 2 (Cat C), a Trailer Training Course (B+E), a Paramedic C1 Licence aimed at student paramedics and using ex-ambulance vehicles, and an LGV Starter Package. The school also lists HGV Pass Plus and digital tachograph training.

Beyond the core licence categories, the catalogue includes HIAB (lorry loader) training and ADR training for the hazardous goods licence, as well as a Banksman course. Truck and lorry driving experience days are offered for those who want to drive a heavy vehicle under expert guidance rather than train for a licence.

PCV, bus and minibus driver training

On the passenger-carrying side, Craig Baker Driver Training lists PCV Cat D bus driver training, PCV Cat D1 minibus driver training, PCV Cat D1+E minibus driver training and D+E coach and trailer training. These courses address drivers moving into bus, coach or minibus work.

Driver CPC and specialist courses

The school provides Driver CPC training, including CPC Module 4 and online periodic CPC training, and also lists a CPC Transport Managers course. Specialist options in the catalogue include Banksman Training and training related to alternative fuels. The school describes itself as a fully comprehensive driving school that also offers car lessons alongside its HGV, PCV and Driver CPC programmes.

Training for employers and fleet assessments

Craig Baker Driver Training works with employers on HGV and PCV driver development and assessments, aimed at improving road safety or helping drivers improve fuel efficiency and reduce company costs. The school states that it has helped hundreds of customers, from large multi-million-pound companies to small businesses, with their HGV or PCV driver training requirements. It also mentions pre-employment driving assessments among the services available.

Depots and coverage

The school lists training centres across the UK. Its Wigan depot is at Zone 6, Unit 60 & 63L, Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Standish, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN6 0XQ. Further depots are listed in Chorley (Car Park 1, Park Hall Road, Charnock Richard, PR7 5LP), the West Midlands (Hinkley Road, Leicester, LE10 3JG), Sheffield (Junction 31 Secure Parking, Mansfield Road, S26 2BR) and Featherstone (Pheonix Avenue, West Yorkshire, WF7 6EP). The site also refers to automatic and manual driving lessons in Wigan, Leyland and Chorley.

Some depot details differ between sections of the site: the West Midlands depot appears in one place as Eastland Feilds Farm, Marston Lane, Bedworth, CV12 9SD, and elsewhere as Hinkley Road, Leicester, LE10 3JG. The Sheffield address is given with and without the city name in different listings.

Instructors and support team

The school names several members of its team. Petro Anton and Chris Barlow are HGV instructors at the Wigan depot, and Chris McHale is lead instructor at Wigan, with a background as an HGV instructor in the army. Sean Caffekey is an HGV mechanic responsible for diagnosing, repairing and maintaining heavy goods vehicles, and Julie Kirkham is learning development manager.

Job interview link with Driver Hire

The school states that candidates who pass their HGV driving test with it are guaranteed a job interview with Driver Hire, described on the site as one of the UK's largest HGV driver recruitment agencies. It also cites more than 80,000 HGV driver vacancies and drivers earning up to £50,000 a year as context for starting a driving career.