Driver CPC

Driver CPC Is Coming - Pass Your LGV Test Before Sept 09

Introduction

Information on periodic training - part of the new Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) which will affect all professional drivers of buses and coaches (D, D1, DE, D1E licence holders) from 10th September 2008 and professional drivers of lorries (C, C1, CE, C1E licence holders) from 10th September 2009, both;

• Drivers who already hold the relevant vocational licence prior to these dates.

• Those seeking to achieve their vocational licence to drive professionally from these dates.

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. The existing ‘Transport Manager's CPC' also known as the ‘Operator's CPC' is a separate qualification and anyone holding one who still drives professionally as part of their job will also need to hold a Driver CPC.

How Will It Affect Me?

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 until9 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.

* Those who have an entitlement on their licence stating ‘not for hire or reward' (Code 101) will not have acquired rights and will have to take the initial qualification should they wish to drive professionally.

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.