Law & CPC

ALL professional drivers who drive vehicles over 3.5 tonnes should be Driver CPC qualified BY LAW.

Unqualified drivers who drive are driving illegally and face prosecution and fines.

Qualified drivers now have until September 2019 (2018 for PCV) to gain their next DQC.

To gain the CPC qualification, drivers must successfully complete a total of 35 hours of periodic training (i.e. 5 x 7hr courses) - we recommend a training schedule of one day per year (i.e. one day's training per year x 5 years) - this delivers less down time and cost spreading benefits.

Get  trained now to avoid the CPC qualifications rush (and associated price increases).  The legal requirement for CPC qualifications isn't going away.  Get qualified, don't be disappointed and lose out on costs. 

Trainers struggled to accommodate the number of requests for PSV (PCV) in 2013 and the same in 2014 with HGV... so don't leave your training to the last minute.

PSV and HGV drivers' CPC cards will expire 10 September 2019.  PSV (PCV) drivers have had their cards extended from 2018 to 2019, to bring cards in line with HGV drivers.

Many in the industry thought the need for training would go away BUT it definitely hasn't!

Introduction

Whilst SRC Driver Training takes pride in being able to offer and deliver low cost, high quality training to drivers (anywhere in the UK) we realise that you may want to know more about Driver CPC itself before you book your training with us.

Here are some facts to help you:

Who does Driver CPC (Periodic) Training concern?

The new Driver CPC legislation has been designed to help improve the skills and knowledge of all professional HGV and PSV (PCV) drivers throughout the UK.

What is involved?

The legislation is in two distinct parts:

• Initial Qualification: this must be achieved by new HGV and PSV (PCV) drivers, in addition to their vocational license, before they will be able to drive professionally.
• Periodic Training: all professional drivers must complete 35 hours of training every five years.

If you drive for a living, you will want to take Driver CPC (Periodic) Training as seriously as we do.

Be assured, the longer you leave Driver CPC Training, the more you're likely to pay for it. Whether you're an owner-operator or run a large fleet, SRC Driver Training will have your Driver CPC (Periodic Training) 'done and dusted' in no time.

More Details

All professional/vocational bus, coach and lorry drivers must undertake periodic training in order to maintain their Driver CPC. The new Driver CPC qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers - the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is LAW in the UK now (and has been in parts of mainland Europe for some time). In future, just holding a vocational driving license will not be sufficient for someone who wishes to drive these vehicles for a living.

The Driving Standards Agency is taking the lead in implementing EU Directive 2003/59, which requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence.

• 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers
• 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers
• DQC holder now have until 9 September 2019 (2018 for PCV) to gain their next 5 year card.

In order to maintain their Driver CPC, all category C and D license holders (including C, C1, C1E and D, D1, DE, D1E) will be required to undertake 35 hours Periodic Training every 5 years.

Driver CPC also introduces a new Initial Qualification for drivers entering the industries after these September dates (see above) which they must complete in order to drive legally.

The main aim behind Driver CPC is to improve road safety; providing better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties. Driver CPC should also bring an improved professional and positive image to the industries, attracting more people to drive buses, coaches and lorries for a living. It is aimed not only at improving the knowledge and skills of HGV and PCV (PCV) drivers when they first start work but also ensures those skills are maintained and developed throughout the driver's working life.

The DSA is working closely with trade associations for the freight, bus and coach industries, the Sector Skills Councils and other government agencies to ensure Driver CPC is implemented in a way that suits the needs of the industries.

Please Note:

Any vehicle of 3.5 tons and upwards and minibuses with 9 seats or more are covered by Driver CPC.

Driver CPC will enable young people to enter these sectors in a safe and professional manner (from 18 years of age) subject to any license restrictions for category D drivers (see 'Minimum ages' section under Driver CPC evidencing, enforcement and exemptions).