What is a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence?
Under a new European Union Directive, professional bus, coach and lorry drivers need to hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) in addition to a vocational driving licence. Any drivers of trucks over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses with 9 seats or more must obtain a Driver CPC.
New drivers obtain their Driver CPC by passing a series of initial qualification tests - theory and practical. This must then be followed by 35 hours of periodic training every five years if they want to keep their Driver CPC after that period.
Bus and coach drivers who hold a relevant vocational licence gained before 10 September 2008, and truck drivers who obtained their licence before 10 September 2009, do not need to take the initial qualification. This is because they are deemed to hold 'acquired rights'. However, they will have to complete periodic training to keep their Driver CPC.
Driver CPC is valid for five years. New drivers who have qualified via the initial qualification route will receive a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), which they can show as proof that they hold Driver CPC. Existing drivers will receive their DQC when they have completed their 35 hours of periodic training.
Exemptions from Driver CPC requirements
You will not need a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) if the vehicle you drive:
· has a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 kilometers per hour
· is used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order
· is undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or is a new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service
· is used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions
· is used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or a Driver CPC
· is used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use
· is 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
