Periodic Driver CPC

Periodic Driver CPC - Periodic Training for Current LGV and PCV Licence Holders

What is Driver CPC?

Driver CPC is being introduced across the European Union to maintain high
driving standards and improve road safety. All professional bus, coach and lorry drivers must hold a Driver CPC if they want to drive for a living.

NB: any drivers of lorries of 3.5 tons and upwards, and minibuses with 9
seats or more must obtain a Driver CPC.

How will it affect me?

From 10th September 2008: All bus (PCV) drivers will have to gain this qualification by completing 35 hours of training (5 days) before Sept 2013.
Licence categories are: D1, D1+E, D, D+E.

From 10th September 2009: All truck (LGV) drivers will have to gain this qualification by completing 35 hours of training (5 days) before Sept 2014.
Licence categories are: C1, C1+E, C, C+E.

All drivers will need to complete a minimum of 35 hours of periodic training within every five year period. The training will require attendance at courses but will not require drivers to take or pass further examinations.

How you gain your Driver CPC will depend upon whether you are a new or
existing driver.

If you are an existing driver you will have ‘acquired rights' as you already hold a vocational driving licence (C, C1, CE, C1E, D*, D1*, DE*, and D1E*) on the relevant start dates. Bus and coach drivers will hold acquired rights up until 9 September 2013 and lorry drivers until 9 September 2014. To keep your Driver CPC and continue driving professionally beyond this date, you will need to undertake regular periodic training.

New drivers will need to pass a new initial qualification to gain their vocational driving licence and qualify for their Driver CPC. For a new driver, their requirement to undertake a minimum of 35 hours' periodic training to retain their Driver CPC will start once they have passed the initial qualification.

What is periodic training?

Periodic training is continuing professional development for bus, coach
and lorry drivers. It carries on throughout the professional driver's career -
no matter how infrequently they drive.

The minimum length of a training course is 7 hours. Where a course of 7 hours is split into two parts the second part must start within 24 hours of the completion of the first part. It is important that you allow yourself enough time to complete your training within the five year period. There is no advantage in delaying your periodic training. The sooner you train, the sooner your knowledge and skills will be refreshed and updated, which will enhance your professionalism. Driver CPC requires you to complete a minimum of 35 hours of periodic training during every five year cycle for as long as you wish to continue driving professionally.

Who will deliver periodic training?

Only approved courses taken with approved training centres will count towards periodic training. The approval process for courses is managed on behalf of the Driving Standards Agency by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT). DSA will provide a central database to keep records of the periodic training completed by each driver. It will be the responsibility of the training centre to enter records onto the database (there will be online access for drivers to enquire on their own training records).

Is there a test to pass?

No. There is no requirement for a course to include a test or a pass/fail element.

I hold both a PCV and LGV licence; will I need to undertake two sets of periodic training?

No, only one set of periodic training needs to be completed every five years.

How will I prove I hold Driver CPC?

You will be able to prove you hold Driver CPC by a Driver Qualification Card (DQC). The card will be issued to new drivers automatically on successfully passing the initial qualification. Existing drivers (holding a GB photo card licence) will be automatically issued with the card on completion of the 35th hour of periodic training.

For existing drivers, their ‘acquired rights' means that their driving licence will be accepted as proof of their Driver CPC status until they have completed their 35 hours training within the first 5 year cycle at which point they will be issued with a DQC.

There will be no charge for the card at point of issue.

As the card will be sent to the address on your driving licence it is important that you keep your details up to date with DVLA. You must carry your DQC whilst driving and there will be penalties if you are found to be driving professionally without one. If your DQC has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must report it to the DSA within 7 days and apply for a replacement card. There will be a fee to replace and issue new cards.

NB: if your card has been lost or stolen you must inform your employer.

Are there any special concessions?

There are exemptions from the Driver CPC qualification for drivers of vehicles:

• Used for the non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use.
• Undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or new or rebuilt vehicles not yet put into service.
• Used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or Driver CPC.
• Carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his or her work, provided that driving the vehicle does not constitute the driver's principal activity.
• With a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45km/h.
• Used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service, and forces responsible for maintaining public order.
• Used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions.

What driver CPC courses do CableCom deliver?

At present we deliver the following 7 hour courses:

1. Fuel Economy Training
2. Drivers Hours & Tachograph including Working Time Directive
3. Maintanance, Daily Checks, Speed Limits, Driving Regulations, Signs and Restrictions.
4. Health & Safety, Loading / Un Loading, PPE, Risk Assessments
5. Customer Service & Soft Skills.

CableCom are in the process of developing a number of syllabuses's in order to cater for both PCV & LGV drivers.