Driver CPC Training

New drivers acquiring a PCV vocational entitlement (D1, D1+E, D, D+E licence) after the 10th September 2008 and/or an LGV vocational entitlement (C1, C1+E,C or C+E licence) after the 10th September 2009 will have to obtain the initial Driver CPC in addition to their licence to drive professionally.

Existing drivers who already hold a vocational licence on the 10th September 2008 (PCV) or the 10th September 2009 (LGV) are exempt from the initial Driver CPC. This is known as "acquired rights".

NVQ Grants for Driver CPC Training: A word of caution

Many companies are implying that they can obtain grants for Driver CPC as part of an NVQ. This is, in some cases possible, but the course must be accredited with JAUPT and meet the minimum requirements of 7 hours of face to face training within a 24 hour period, otherwise it will not be considered appropriate training and therefore not count towards the 35 hours required for the CPC.

Both new and existing drivers must complete a total of 35 hours Periodic Training within the 5 years following their ‘acquired rights' or initial Driver CPC to keep their Driver CPC valid. This is only required if the driver is using their licence professionally. PCV drivers exempt from the Driver CPC via acquired rights will have to complete their periodic training by September 2013 and LGV Drivers exempt from the Driver CPC via acquired rights will have to complete their periodic Driver CPC by September 2014.

New drivers who undertake a National Vocational Training programme are able to split their licence acquisition and initial Driver CPC acquisition by up to one year whilst still being able to drive professionally. If the initial Driver CPC acquisition is delayed, the driver would have to return to the DSA test centre within one year in order to complete it and carry on driving professionally. An example of a National Vocational Training programme would be an Apprenticeship in Driving Goods Vehicles. Drivers intending to use this concession will have to register with the Driving Standards Agency.

Driver CPC Exemptions

There are a number of Driver CPC exemptions associated with the Directive. These are listed below:

• Vehicles with a maximum speed not exceeding 45 Kph
• Vehicles used by the armed forces, civil defence, and emergency services
• Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance
• Vehicles used in states of emergency
• Vehicles used in the course of driving lessons or examinations
• Vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passenger or goods - for personal use
• Vehicles used for carrying material of equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his or her work, providing that driving the vehicles is not the drivers' principle activity

Legally it's the drivers responsibility to ensure they have a valid CPC by 2014, however many businesses are supporting their drivers now by providing suitable courses to meet CPC requirements. We can tailor these course to suit each respective business so they meet the requirements of the CPC curriculum.

Want to find out more?

Call us on 01275 390001 or contact us to discuss your options, tell you what's available or to offer some guidance.

Our Diverse Range of Clients include:

• owner drivers to multi-national hauliers
• national charities to Government enterprises
• all sectors from food distribution & groundworks to art galleries & road management companies
  

Qualifications and Memberships

• RSA Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC Holder)
• Class One LGV licence with over 25 years practical experience
• IOSH qualified (Institute of Occupational Safety & Health)
• Graduate in Transport Management & Economics
• Freight Transport Association
• Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Break.org.uk
• RoSPA
• Road Haulage Association
• Driver CPC Training