Training

Driver CPC

What does the Driver CPC involve?

As well as a driving licence, lorry and bus & coach drivers who drive professionally will have to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence which is renewable every 5 years. There will be an initial qualification for new drivers, and periodic training for new and existing drivers.

Driver CPC came into force on 10 September 2008 for PCV drivers and 10 September 2009 for LGV drivers. These implementation dates apply to all EU member states.

What is the purpose of Driver CPC?

Driver CPC has been introduced to improve the knowledge and skills of lorry, bus and coach drivers which in turn will;

• Improve road safety
• Support the road freight and passenger transport industries by providing savings through more fuel efficient and defensive driving and help the industries with staff recruitment and retention
• Raise the profile of the driving profession through maintaining skills levels, improving career opportunities and enhancing the image of drivers as 'professionals'
• Help the environment through reduced fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear

What is DSA's involvement?

DSA is leading, on behalf of the Department for Transport, the implementation of the project. As well as legislation, this involves establishing and implementing arrangements for training and testing for both the initial qualification and periodic training.

Who will Driver CPC affect?

All professional drivers of lorries (of all sizes), buses, coaches and minibuses unless they qualify for an exemption.

Who is exempt?

Driver CPC will be needed only in circumstances where a driver is required to hold a driving licence in Categories C, C+E, D, D+E (including C1, C1+E, D1, D1+E).

In addition, even if a driver is required to hold a licence in one of these categories, they may be exempt if they belong to one of the following groups listed in Article 2 of the Directive:

Exemptions

Driver CPC shall not apply to the drivers of:

• Vehicles with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45km/h;
• Vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order;
• Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service;
• Vehicles used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions;
• Vehicles used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or a CPC, as provided for in Article 6 and Article 8 (1);
• Vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use;
• Vehicles carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his or her work, provided that driving the vehicle is not the driver’s principal activity.

How often does periodic training have to take place?

35 hours of Periodic Training must take place in 5-yearly cycles consistent with CPC renewal. This must continue until such time as the person no longer wishes to drive category C or D vehicles professionally.

The driver has flexibility as to how he/she takes the 35 hours training over this time, providing training occurs in blocks of at least seven hours at one time. So for example a driver may complete two blocks of 7 hours in the first year, and the final three blocks of seven hours in the fifth year. A driver could leave all 35 hours until the fifth year.

What is the syllabus?

The Directive lays out the syllabus in Annex 1 Section 1 of the Directive. There are three main groups of subjects:

• Advanced training in rational driving based on safety regulations
• Applications of regulations
• Health roads and environmental safety, service, logistics

The content of the training is designed to deal with subject matter that is relevant to the driver in their day to day work.

Will Periodic Training be able to focus on individual needs?

Yes this is the intention - tailored training to suit the needs of the driver at that point in time. This may cover changes in legislation, new vehicles or remedial training, against the background of the syllabus.

Are there any tests to take for Periodic Training?

No there are no tests required.

Will Driver CPC apply to foreign nationals?

Yes, Driver CPC applies across all EU Member States therefore all of those drivers will be required to qualify and hold a Driver CPC in exactly the same way as UK drivers.

I hold an LGV licence and do occasional driving for an agency although this is not my main job. Does CPC apply to me?

Yes if you are driving professionally for any period of time you will be required to hold CPC. It is not the number of hours worked which affects the requirement for CPC; it is the type of driving undertaken.

I took my car test some time ago and got a C1 entitlement which I use to drive a small delivery lorry for my grocery business. Does CPC apply to me?

Yes. CPC applies to any driver who drives a goods vehicle of more than 3.5 tonnes. As an existing licence holder on the implementation date of 10th September 2009, you will not be required to undertake the initial qualification for new drivers but you will be required to complete the 35 hours Periodic Training requirement.