I passed my CE today in Standish. I can't recommend Craig Baker and his team enough. Everyone who I have come across in the Standish branch has been exceptional, incredibly experienced, frien... See more
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At Craig Baker Driver Training, we specialise in nationwide HGV and LGV training courses, offering comprehensive instruction for aspiring drivers at all levels. From car lessons to advanced certifications such as HGV Class 2 (Cat C), HGV Class 1 (Cat CE), and CPC Module 4, our expert trainers are dedicated to providing the highest quality education and support. With the current demand for HGV drivers soaring and over 80,000 vacancies across the UK, there has never been a better time to embark on a career in this field. Our courses are designed to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to succeed, with the potential to earn up to £50,000 annually. We operate out of several convenient locations, including Wigan, Chorley, Accrington, Sheffield, Coventry, Lichfield, Milton Keynes, and London ensuring accessible training no matter where you are. Our direct access courses make it easy to achieve your driving goals swiftly and efficiently. Join the many successful drivers who have trained with us and start your journey towards a rewarding and lucrative career with Craig Baker Driver Training. With our experienced instructors and state-of-the-art facilities, we are committed to your success on the road.
wigan investment centre, waterside drive, waterside drive, WN35BA, Wigan, United Kingdom
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Richard is a fantastic instructor, I felt at ease from day one and he always let me know where and how I could improve on any areas I was struggling on. I can’t rate Richard and Marcus highly enough, very professional but easy to get on with. Thanks for getting me through the training and a test pass 👍🏻

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Just completed my C1 with Pedro, I was soo nervous and he was absolutely brilliant he made me feel at ease. I would 100% recommend this company. The staff I dealt with were super helpful & friendly. Thank you

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
I just wanted to send a big thank you to Marcus for being such an outstanding instructor during my Category C+E training with Craig Baker. Your professionalism and incredible patience made the whole learning process so much smoother. I especially appreciated how clearly you explained everything and the genuine help you provided, which was absolutely key to me passing my driving test.
Thanks for everything!
Kasjan

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Great instruction.
I was under Marcus' guidance and I felt very relaxed and trusted.
I passed my class 1 thank you

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Very helpful makes things easy when learning very helpful instructors, makes the process of learning extremely easy and calming

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
It’s been a bad experience training through Craig Baker. Having paid £1297 for 12hrs training, and a further £224 for 3 nights hotel stay shows 13hrs on there Total Drive training app.
Training was over 3days from the 8th-10th July the Practical test CatD module 3b on bus/ coaches on the 10th July.
My instructor was unsure whether I can drive a coach through a bus lane so told me not to drive through Bus Lanes. A coach is classed as a Bus so you can and should drive through a bus lane. On my test day I was presented with a bus lane and drove through it.
On motorways told to limit speed to 50mph, however the speed limit is 60mph on motorways.
There is an app Total Drive which the company use which to date has nothing filled in. The app goes through basic skills just to mention one part like cockpit drill & safety checks, move off safely, stop safely, MSPSL routine. None of these items were addressed by my instructor which shows that he was not aware of them.
The instructor mentioned nothing like tail swing, vehicle overhangs. I cannot understand why a company other than just to make money would give you an instructor that has no knowledge of basic vehicle principles. Further this particular instructor had only been training for 2 weeks clearly no experience of training anyone.
The vehicle in which I was trained was a coach and had n/s damage after another student had gone into railings. I mean if you do wish to proceed with this company it is at your peril because that vehicle is just two sheds joined together with wheels on. I cannot see how that would have passed the mot? Also the reversing alarm not working.
I’ve got 19hrs training with national express so the 12hrs would had been more than adequate with a descent instructor to polish off the knowledge I have already got.
Surprise surprise failed my test on the 10th July with 1 major, 3 minors. I honestly feel I got this far due to effort made by myself. No mention of show me tell me questions until test day. Everything blatantly rushed.
If you going to spend money on this company in a hope of progressing your career like I said before it’s at your peril. I’ve wasted £1297 on this company and to make things worse retest fees are £500. Which they will not obviously be getting. I’ve been as honest as I can and am not getting paid by anyone for writing this but as a bit of advice don’t rush yourselves to get PCV CatD training. Hope there was someone I could recommend.
Thanks for the reply. Let me just point out there’s inconsistency in your training. One instructor will tell you one thing (the wrong thing) and the other instructor the right thing. I’m glad you think that this is ok as the conversation with John on 18th July. I also asked John why I wasn’t take through any test routes to which he replied there’s 25 different test routes. It’s funny how your reverse alarm has started to work after you fixed it. As a company you really don’t care if anyone passes. If you did you would provide a descent instructor for the full length of training and not try to patch things up on test day. On test day the o/s brake light wouldn’t work so because the correct bulb wasn’t available it was bodged up with a single filament replacement. I was told not to use the headlights whilst driving as the brake lights would not work. Isn’t that a risk to safety in itself??
I really hope no one goes through this bad experience I have had. You have not accepted that anything has gone wrong but why should you. You’ve taken the money and run. Let me point out the failed test results was due to the previous past training I’ve had. You were paid for the 12 hrs to polish up on the skills that I’ve got. I’m sorry but you have failed. I don’t understand how you get the reviews you get. You must have a big family to put them in for you. PCV CatD avoid they will give you more of a headache than it’s worth and not even accept they do anything wrong.

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
I started my HGV driving journey with Petro, a massive thank you to you for being such a great instructor !! Also a big thanks to Neil Cross , Chris Barlow,Simon and Chris McHale for your time and training. You are all amazing 👏 from Miroslaw

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Completed my training at the Sheffield branch, and my instructor Andy was spot on. Really helpful and patient while also getting the knowledge over quickly and in a way that was easy to understand. Helped me get passed in just a week. Highly recommend to anyone

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Did my class 2 training in Sheffield all I can say is excellent from start to finish had all three instructors John Andy and Shaun each one having excellent knowledge to get me through my test first time would without doubt highly recommend to anyone looking at any hgv training massive thanks from me

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Great communication all round by the office staff, giving you all the info you need very informative with when your dates and times were, was excellent. The 3 guys who got me threw shaun, John and andy at the sheffild yard they were all excellent couldn't ask for anymore great communication skills supporting me all the way and getting me to what I wanted to achieve, all round great experience many thanks

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
After deciding on a big career change it took me 10 weeks from start to finish to fully pass my Class 2 HGV and CPC with Craig Baker Driver Tuition. The wait times for Theory & Practical Tests + Lessons were far less than rival companies in my local area in Doncaster therefore paid to travel and stay in Wigan. I had Petro as my instructor who learnt me to drive and pass in just 4 days of driving. I made alot of mistakes to begin with but by listening to Petro I slowly ironed out those mistakes and passed. Been anxious Petro been patient was ideal for me, he's a very skilled instructor and you just need to listen to him, note your focus areas and put it all into practice. Petro your a Greek Legend Thank You!

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Marcus and Richard top instructors got me to pass after 16 hrs with ease Highley recommend these to for your lesson so if your near Coventry get booked in

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Done my training at the Sheffield branch which is a great little set up, easy to get to and good facilities.
My instructor Andy certainly goes out of his way to give you the knowledge and confidence needed to pass, he deffo gives 110% and wants you to succeed in passing your test!
A big thanks also goes out to John who also paid a role in me passing my test!!

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Great week of Class 1 HGV (C & E) training with Craig Baker HGV Training in Wigan. So much to learn, but all managed with the assistance of some excellent instructors. It is a well structured week of first class tuition, both on and off the road, and the fact that the instructors are all highly skilled and experienced drivers themselves, makes the course a great starting point for those seeking to gain future employment in the driving world.
Many thanks to Pedro, Simon, little Chris and big Chris for their invaluable input, and expertise, which allowed me to progress quickly and with confidence to my HGV Class 1 (C&E) driving test at the end of the week (which I passed).
As well as delivering the syllabus with great professionalism, they were also able to impart numerous invaluable tips and tricks for HGV driving, which facilitated my successful progression through the week, and which also proved invaluable during my driving test. I highly recommend them all, as I do the course and experience overall.
Extremely happy with the week overall and the training I received, and am happy to recommend them to you.
David Jackson

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
I had petro as my trainer he helped me massively shown me everything I failed twice but he just kept saying it was my nerves just stay calm and youll pass just had my third test passed with 5 minors can’t thank him enough brilliant trainer thanks so much

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
DO NOT USE – AVOID AT ALL COSTS
The only positive experience I had was with my instructor, Andy – he was excellent and extremely professional. Unfortunately, everything else about dealing with Craig Baker (CB) was a complete disaster.
Before I could even begin my practical lessons, I had to complete my theory. Fair enough. I chose to travel out of my way to a different city just to get it done sooner. When I arrived, I found out CB had booked me in for a bus test, not the LGV theory I actually needed. No apology, no accountability – just a complete waste of time. I let that slide, even though I shouldn’t have had to.
After finally passing my theory (first time, by the way), I only then found out that I was entitled to two hours of “one go one” training to help prepare. No one had mentioned this beforehand – another clear sign of poor communication and terrible customer service.
My practical lessons were in an urban trailer, but when it came to the actual test, they put me in a full-length artic – a much larger vehicle than what I had trained on. I wasn’t even told this would happen. The lack of consistency and communication is staggering.
After failing the test (unsurprisingly, given the surprise vehicle change), I requested my fail receipt when I moved to a more reliable training provider. I sent a message – it was read and ignored. When I called, they brushed it off, claiming their “automated system doesn’t always work.” Another excuse, another lie.
To top it off, CB has test wait times of around 2 months, while other firms I looked into had wait times of just 2 weeks. It’s clear they are only interested in taking your money, not supporting your training journey or providing a decent service.
Poor communication, poor planning, and zero transparency. Save yourself the stress and go elsewhere.

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Booked for a 2 day course for my C1 license. Everything was easy to get sorted over the phone and had everything explained and booked very quickly.
My instructor was Kyle and he was extremely helpful all the way through the training. I was a bag of nerves for my test and he helped me keep my cool and I passed first time! Honestly a great instructor.
I would really recommend this company to anyone.

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
I have just passed my HGV through Craig Baker Training, I had experience from 3 of their instructors, John, Andy and Shaun. All 3 of these guys were amazing, friendly and very informative. Flawless service from Craig Baker Training, I cannot thank them enough for their time and effort with me. Highly Recommended to anyone wanting to obtain a new license.

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
I have fortunately, just passed my class 1 test/exams, and I would like to provide my appreciation to Kyle and Julie for their professional attitude and assistance throughout, which ultimately (with their relaxed but detailed style of teaching) led me to passing first time. I can't thank them enough for their patience and friendly approach to the training.

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
Have just passed my class 2 licence with Craig Baker driver training. My instructor Marcus was more than helpful and full of knowledge which really helped during my 3 day intensive course and his confidence in me paid off for my on road driving test and reversing test. Highly recommend Craig Baker driver training and their instructor Marcus.

Reply from Craig Baker Driver Training (Nationwide HGV & PCV Training)
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