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CPC Training
What is a Driver CPC?
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a legal requirement for those driving larger vehicles professionally.
Having been introduced in Europe, legislation came into effect in the UK on the 10th September 2009. Its purpose is to improve road safety and uphold high standards of driving.
Who needs a Driver CPC?
You need a Driver CPC if you’re looking to drive buses, coaches or HGVs for a living. If the vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes or with 9 or more passenger seats and it will be the main part of your job then its essential.
There are certain drivers who are not required to hold a Driver CPC, they are outlined below:
Drivers are exempt if the vehicle is:
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Used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use;
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Undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service; (must be driven by a qualified motor mechanic)
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Used in the course of driving lessons for the purpose of enabling that person to obtain a driving licence or a Drivers CPC; (must be driven by driving instructors)
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Carrying material or equipment to be used by that person in the course of his or her work, provided that driving that vehicle does not constitute the driver’s principal activity. (For example, transporting scaffolding to the driver’s place of work. Driving must not become the major part of the work, i.e. the work being carried out at the site of work, must be a significantly greater use of time than driving itself.)
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With a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 km/h; (such as agricultural tractors)
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Used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order.
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Used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions.
Operators (i.e., haulage and transport businesses) of HGV and PCV vehicles must also be CPC certified, however the training for this is slightly different due to them being an operator rather than a driver.
What about drivers with acquired rights?
ALL professional drivers must hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) qualification.
Acquired rights or ‘grandfather rights’ apply to drivers who acquired their drivers licence prior to 1997 or passed their Bus (D1) or Lorry (C1) licence or a higher category prior to introduction of the CPC qualification.
These existing drivers only received their driver qualification card once they had completed their initial 35 hours of periodic CPC training.
All drivers are then required to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to ensure compliancy.
Any one applying for either a Bus or Lorry Licence after 2009 will be required to do the initial CPC modules 2+4 as modules 1 + 3 will be covered in applying for the actual licence class.
How do I take my CPC Drivers Qualification?
There are two ways to get your Drivers CPC qualification, initial and periodic.
Initial CPC Driver Training
If you plan to drive a vehicle larger than your current licence entitlement allows professionally you will then be required to take the initial CPC driver qualification modules which are 2 & 4.
You will also need to have taken and passed your driver theory and practical driving test which make up the remaining Modules 1 & 3 to complete the Driver CPC qualification
You must pass part one before you can take part three and pass part two before you can take part four.
Periodic CPC Driver Training
Once you have passed your initial CPC or if you have acquired rights, then you will need to pass your periodic training every 5 years.
The periodic training is online based (for now) with no examinations or pass and fail elements. Each course is made up of 7 hours and the completed hours will be uploaded by the training provider to JAUPT who are the approving body.
Courses can vary in content providing they have been approved by JAUPT.
Once 35 hours training has been uploaded to the JAUPT systems, a DQC (Driver Qualification Card) will be issued.
When do i need to get my Driver CPC Training?
Your Driver CPC qualification lasts for 5 years, in order to keep your Driver CPC, you must complete 35 hours of training before your 5-year deadline.
The deadline to do your training is shown on your card.
You can check how many hours of Driver CPC training you’ve done or what courses you’ve attended by emailing dva@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Or for GB you can check online at:
https://www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc-periodic-training-hours
What are the consequences of driving professionally without a valid Drivers CPC qualification?
Driving without or failing to produce a valid Drivers Qualification Card (DQC) card will carry a maximum fine of £1000.00 for both the driver and the operating firm.
If you have applied for your Drivers Qualification Card but you have not received it yet, you may be issued with a verbal warning if you are pulled over on the roadside.
If you lose your card you will have to pay £25.00 for a replacement.