What is Driver CPC?
Under new EU rules, all LGV & PCV Drivers will need to hold a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) in addition to their Driving Licence.
New Drivers will need to take a test to receive their initial CPC and it must be renewed every 5 years by attending compulsory 35 hours of classroom training.
Holders of Vocational Licences who passed Bus/Coach licence before 10th September 2008, or Lorry Drivers before 10th September 2009 have been given 5 years to gain their CPC and will need to complete their 35 Hours Training by the deadline and renew their Driver Qualification Card (DQC).
Initial Qualification
All new LGV or PCV Drivers must take and pass their Driver CPC Initial Test in order to utilise their licence for hire or reward.
The test consists of two parts, The Case Study & Practical Demonstration Test.
The Case Study Test is taken at a DSA Theory Test Centre and consists of multiple choice questions following a case study.
The Demonstration Test is conducted by a DSA examiner and consists of a series of questions he will ask in relation to the vehicle, its load, safety etc
On successful completion of this module, you will be issued with a Driver Qualification Card as proof of your qualification.
Periodic Training
All drivers will need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to renew their Driver CPC Qualification.
All drivers will need to have their Driver Qualification Card if they are driving Busses/Coaches and Lorries as part of their job.
PCV Drivers must have completed their 35 hours periodic CPC Training by 10th September 2013 which then is valid for 5 years.
HGV Drivers must have completed their 35 hours periodic CPC Training by 10th September 2014 which then is valid for 5 years.
Business owners and transport managers across the UK want their businesses to succeed to the fullest possible extent. Yet that is only possible when company drivers do whatever it takes to meet company standards and legal requirements. Among the many legal requirements is the regular driver CPC training that every professional is now required to undergo. The HGV Training Centre can be part of implementing such training on behalf of your company.
When the CPC requirements were first discussed more than eight years ago, they were considered within the framework of creating standards by which all EU drivers could demonstrate competency and proficiency in the work setting. Policymakers intended for the standards to improve the haulage and transport industries throughout the European Union. Thus, CPC requirements have gradually been implemented throughout EU member countries. Here in the UK, the two deadlines for implementation for PCV and HGV drivers occurred in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
All professional HGV and PCV drivers must now hold a valid CPC card in order to drive legally. They are also required to carry their cards with them at all times when working. CPC cards must be furnished upon request of police officers, DVLA officers, and other authorised individuals throughout the EU. Driving without a valid card could result in both fines and the loss of one’s licence.
Basics of CPC Certification Training
The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) demonstrates a professional driver is more than capable of safely handling a commercial vehicle and the responsibilities that come with it. As such, it is more than just a driving licence attached to physical skills and practical safety knowledge. It goes above and beyond to address those things that are unique to professional driving. In some cases, driver CPC training is specific to a given industry or a particular job.
There are two ways to earn a valid CPC card:
1. Initial Training
Every new driver undergoing training to earn his or her first commercial driving licence will participate in driver CPC training as part of the process. To encapsulate that into the law, testing standards were changed in 2008 for PCV drivers in 2009 for HGV drivers.
What used to be a process involving two tests (theory and practical skills) now entails a four-test regimen that is inclusively known as CPC training. A driver who completes the training programme and passes all the tests to earn a commercial driver licence has, by default, obtained a valid CPC card.
2. Remedial Training
A driver’s CPC card is valid only for five years. In order to continue driving after that, the driver must undergo 35 hours of remedial training at any point during the fifth year of the current card. For example, lorry drivers who earned their first card in 2009 would have taken 35 hours of classroom training at any point in 2014. Completing the training would result in a new CPC card valid until 2019. Their next round of training will take place at any time in that year.
It is important to note the calendar year distinctions for driver CPC training. By establishing calendar year expiration dates along with allowing drivers to undergo training at any time in the fifth year, the law provides as much flexibility as possible for maintaining CPC compliance.
CPC Training Options
The intent of the driver CPC training programme was never to make life difficult for drivers or operators. In light of the many requirements already in play, those who developed the rules decided to give training companies plenty of latitude in developing CPC training courses. In simple terms, drivers are not undergoing a repetition of the same classes time after time. They can choose classes suited to their specific needs.
There are far too many possibilities for us to list here, but here is just a short sampling of what you might find at the HGV Training Centre or any of the other qualified providers around the UK:
- Emergency First Aid – The government has made a concerted effort to reduce the number of fatalities resulting from crashes. As a result, drivers can take an emergency first aid course that qualifies them to provide on-scene first aid, whether they are directly involved in a crash or not. This training qualifies under the CPC scheme.
- Urban Driving – Driving a large commercial vehicle in an urban environment is challenging to say the least. Drivers can qualify for a new CPC card by undergoing remedial training in urban driving. These kinds of courses teach drivers how to safely navigate congested areas, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and so forth.
- Operators Compliance – Haulage and transport operators also have to be certified through CPC training. Operators can take a compliance course that keeps them up to speed on current legislation and regulations. This is a vital course for any operator not willing to fall behind.
- Fuel Efficiency – Believe it or not, part of professional competence is learning to drive an HGV or PCV in a way that maximises fuel efficiency. In order to promote fuel efficiency, such courses qualify under the CPC mandate.
- Petroleum Transport – Petroleum products present unique challenges to lorry drivers. Not only are the products hazardous, but their liquid or gaseous state means they exhibit some unique characteristics and traits when transported on the open road. Safely handling these products is a skill that not every driver has.
- Safety Checks – Commercial drivers are required to conduct walk-around safety checks prior to each journey. A remedial course dealing with safety checks refreshes a driver’s memory, brings him or her up to speed on any changes, and teaches the driver how to do the walk-around check more efficiently and thoroughly.
As you can see, there are lots of different choices for driver CPC training courses. We have listed but a few here. There are so many choices out there right now that virtually any driver or operator can find something that is both useful and qualifying at the same time.
Affordable Driver CPC Training
The HGV Training Centre is fully aware of the fact that driver CPC training can be expensive. We cannot do anything to change the mandate, but we do everything in our power to make sure training is as affordable and convenient as possible. To that end, we are capable of training your entire team of drivers simultaneously or on a rotating basis. We will do whatever is most convenient and cost-effective for you.
If you are an independent contractor responsible for your own training, we know paying out-of-pocket can be cost-prohibitive. However, we would urge you not to avoid training simply because it may put a strain on your budget. We offer a financing option for every class we teach throughout all of our UK-wide facilities. If you qualify, you can finance your training now while deferring payment until later on.
The HGV Training Centre is one of the most well-known names in the UK for commercial driver training. Over decades of serving our satisfied customers, we have built a reputation for providing high-quality training in a friendly environment conducive to learning. Our approach to training is fast-paced and intense, designed to get your drivers in and out as quickly as possible while also maximising retention at the same time.
We invite you to contact us to learn more about our driver CPC training. Whether you are an individual or transport manager, we can work out a training programme that meets all of your needs.
