Driver CPC
What is Driver CPC?
The Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is a new qualification that all professional coach, bus and lorry drivers will need to have if they want to drive for a living. This qualification is a result of the EU directive 2003/59 to maintain high driving standards and improve road safety across the European Union.
It has no connection to the CPC qualification needed for O Licence compliance. If you hold a CPC under this category you will still have to have a Driver CPC
Who is affected and when?
Driver CPC applies to drivers of PCV and Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on roads open to the public and for which a driving licence in any of the following categories is required:
C1, C1 + E, C or C + E
D1, D1 + E, D or D + E
Driver CPC regulations will apply to new drivers who acquire their PCV licence from September 2008 and for drivers acquiring their LGV licence from September 2009.
If a vocational licence is already held before the above dates, drivers will have acquired rights omitting them from the initial qualification. They will however have to complete 35 hours of periodic training by September 2013 (PCV) or September 2014(Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes) and every 5 years from then onwards
What is periodic training?
Periodic training is regular training in different categories that will continue throughout a professional driver’s career. 35 hours of periodic training must be completed every 5 years for a driver to retain their Driver CPC. The main benefit of Driver CPC is better road safety and better qualified drivers across the EU to help reduce road casualties. Driver CPC should bring an improved professional image to the driving profession, encouraging more people to drive buses, coaches and goods vehicles for a living.
There is a range of approved courses available via accredited training organisations on behalf of the DSA. These courses are grouped under the following headings:
Safe and fuel efficient driving (including emissions and pollution, and vehicle loading) Health, safety and service (including passenger safety, customer service and first aid) Legal requirements (including drivers hours and tachographs)
What are the consequences of Driver CPC offences?
No Driver CPC max fine £1000
Permitting or causing a driver to drive without a Driver CPC max fine £1000
Failing to produce your Driver CPC whilst driving max fine £1000
Falsification of documents to obtain a Driver CPC 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine
Making false statements to obtain a Driver CPC 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine
