In March, the Government transposed EU Directive 2003/59, introducing the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for lorry, bus and coach drivers, into UK legislation. It will become effective for professional bus and coach drivers from September 2008 and lorry drivers from September 2009. DSA is responsible for CPC implementation in the UK and DVA in Northern Ireland.
All professional lorry, bus and coach drivers will need to take 35 hours periodic training in each 5 year period to update their knowledge and skills in light of new technologies and legislation. Those with acquired rights will need to undertake their first 35 hours of training in the five years following the relevant implementation date. Those obtaining their CPC by an Initial Qualification must complete their first 35 hours of training within the following five years.
The Driver CPC scheme will start in three stages:
Legislation to underpin the Driver CPC was put in place March 2007, the Driver CPC for PCV drivers must be implemented by 10 September 2008 and for LGV drivers must be implemented by 10 September 2009. For drivers holding a LGV licence prior to 10 September 2009 the CPC will come into force by 10 September 2014.
Do I require a CPC?
From 10 September 2009 all drivers requiring a licence for category C1, C1+E, C, & C+E, will in the future need to acquire CPC.
Drivers of vehicles that are exempt from CPC:
Drivers that are exempt from requiring a CPC are drivers who drive the following category of vehicles:
1 have a maximum speed of 45km per hour
2 undergoing road test for repair, maintenance or for technical development
3 used by the civil defence, armed forces and emergency services
4 used in the course of driving lessons or examinations
5 used in states of emergency
6 used in the carrying of goods or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his/her work, if driving the vehicle is not the drivers main job.
7 Used for non commercial carriage of goods or passengers (used privately)
New drivers taking their test from September 2009:
Will require taking the new test which will involve a four-hour theory (currently one and a half)
and a two-hour practical test (currently one and a half). The tests are required to be NVQ level 2 standard.
There are two sections to the theory test:
1/ Licence acquisition
2/ Case studies.
On the successful completion the licence and the CPC will be given at the same time.
Drivers holding a licence prior to 10 September 2009:
Existing licence holders periodic training: Drivers already holding a vocational driving licence before the 10 September 2009 are not required to complete the initial CPC. They will be required to complete their first 35 hours of their periodic training with in five years period to be able to comply with the regulations. This must be completed by the 10 September 2014, to be able obtain their CPC by “Acquired Rights”
The intention of periodic training is to develop the drivers knowledge and his skills, the training will cover:
1/ Professional driving skills
2/ Road safety
3/ The environment
4/ Knowledge of the road freight industry
Validated training: Only training that is given by training bodies that are approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) will be able to count towards the periodic five yearly training.
