5 January 2015
CPC Driver Training for Professional Lorry Drivers
Last year marked the end of ‘acquired rights’ for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), meaning that lorry drivers who got their licence before 2009 can no longer legally drive until they have obtained their Driver CPC card.
The Driver CPC is a four-part qualification which was introduced across Europe with the aim of improving road safety and maintaining high standards of driving. It is mandatory for all professional lorry, bus and coach drivers and anyone caught driving in the EU without it could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Lorry drivers must possess a Driver CPC if they meet both of the following criteria:
• Driving a vehicle is the main part of their job e.g. an individual who delivers materials or equipment to site. If an individual drives a vehicle carrying materials or tools that they use for their work but driving is not the main part of their job, then they do not need a Driver CPC
• They drive a vehicle which falls under the following licence categories: C, C+E, C1 or C1+E
If any of your employees do require a Driver CPC and obtained their licence after 10 September 2009, then you can search for a local course to obtain the qualification via the Gov.uk website. Once they have successfully completed the course, they will receive their Driver CPC card which they must carry with them whenever they are driving professionally to avoid a fine.
For employees who obtained their licence before 10 September 2009, they must complete 35 hours of periodic training, rather than the course, after which they will receive their Driver CPC card.
The Driver CPC card is valid for five years and a driver must do 35 hours of periodic training within that period in order to renew it.