Driver CPC is an abbreviated acronym for Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, which is a qualification for professional drivers who work with large vehicles including HGV, bus, coach, and lorry drivers. Any professional driver of a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes or a Passenger Carrying Vehicle with 9 seats or more must obtain a Driver CPC. The initiative was introduced across the European Union to help improve and maintain road safety and the high standard of driving expected from drivers.
The professional driver must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years in order to retain their Driver CPC, and the training must be conducted within the country where they normally work or live. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £1,000 if caught without a Driver CPC, so it is extremely important for both the driver and the business.
The Driver CPC comes in two forms. For new drivers, the CPC is calculated from the four parts involved in acquiring an HGV License. Part 1 is the Theory Test, Part 2 is Case Studies where the driver is given a number of scenarios they may encounter on the road, Part 3 is the Practical Driving Test, and Part 4 is the Driver CPC Practical Test, which is an interactive vehicle safety demonstration test where the driver is asked a series of operations in a “Show me, Tell me” style interview. In this form, the driver must pass all four parts to achieve the full Driver CPC qualification.
The second form is for drivers who already have a license and is called Periodic Training. This training is made up of 35 hours which all drivers need to complete if they intend to keep driving for a living. Every driver has a five-year period to complete their block of training. The last deadline was 2014 and the current deadline is September 2019. Over the course of those five years, drivers are expected to attend courses provided by training providers, like those offered by Swerdna Transport, or by an in-house Driver Trainer if the company is large enough.
As a driver, you will be expected to attend a minimum seven-hour module, although these can sometimes be longer. The module is usually broken down into two parts, with drivers often being asked to interact with the trainer. The modules include various topics such as Vehicle Systems, Load Safety, Driver Hours Regulations, and Health and Safety. While it is advised that you book modules or courses that are different from previous ones, as long as you complete 35 hours of training, the module selection is not a problem. For example, you can attend a Driver Hours module twice and still gain 14 hours of training.
On completion of the 35 hours of training, a new Driver Qualification Card (DQC) is issued and, as a driver, you must carry this at all times as evidence to prove you are professionally competent. Penalties are issued if you are found driving without your DQC or with an invalid DQC, and as mentioned, the Driver CPC is a regulatory requirement across all EU member states.
With the current deadline fast approaching, we are running weekly courses to meet the demand from drivers in need of their 35 hours. Give us a call today to take advantage of our special offer of £59.99 when booking the full 35 hours with us.
