What is Driver CPC.

Background

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence has been introduced to the UK through EU Directive 2009/59. It is a new qualification that all lorry, coach and bus drivers will need if they wish to drive professionally for a living. It has been introduced to improve the skills and knowledge of professional drivers. The directive has targeted certain areas for development, which include:

Improving road safety

Recognising, underpinning and developing the knowledge and skills that are needed for a professional driver to undertake his / her duties.

Keeping drivers up to date with new legislation applicable to them (i.e. drivers' hours, digital tachographs etc)

Raising the profile and professionalism within the transport industry.

The Driver CPC should not be confused with the Transport Manager's qualification required for operator licensing.  The two are mutually exclusive.  The Transport Manager's qualification is still currently valid ‘for life' while the Driver's CPC requires periodic training equating to 35 hours in every five year period.  Thus a Transport Manager with a CPC who also holds an LGV licence, and wishes to keep it, will have to undertake the same 35 hours training as his / her drivers.

The Driver CPC is split into two areas, Initial and Periodic Training.

Initial Training came into effect for new PCV Drivers on 10 September 2008 and will affect new LGV Drivers from 10 September 2009. Thus any driver who passes his / her PCV / LGV licence after these dates will already hold a Driver CPC which will expire 5 years after issue unless the driver undertakes 35 hours of periodic training before the expiry date.

Periodic Training covers drivers who currently hold a PCV / LGV licence and takes effect five years after the inception date of the new regulations – 9 th September 2013 and 9 th September 2014 respectively. Existing drivers must have completed 35 hours training by these dates to retain their vocational driving entitlement. This can be undertaken in multiples of 7 hour blocks. They will then have until 2018 and 2019, respectively, to requalify for a further five year period.

Driver Qualification Card

Once drivers have attended an approved Driver CPC course, his / her details are recorded on the DSA database. As soon as 35 hours training have been completed the driver will receive his / her Driver CPC licence (Driver Qualification Card – DQC) directly from DSA. It is a legal requirement that the driver must have the original DQC available at all times when driving a vehicle covered by the regulations. Failure to produce the certificate at the roadside could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

DSA Syllabus

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) is responsible for the implementation of the Driver CPC within the UK, and the courses offered by RLR Services will be delivered in accordance with the syllabus and approval of the DSA.