A19Fleet Driver Development

Malcolm Stephenson
Malcolm@a19fleet.co.uk

Driver Certificate of
Professional Competence for drivers of
bus, coach, and large goods vehicles.

What is Driver CPC?
Driver CPC is short for ‘Driver Certificate of Professional Competence’.

It is a relatively new qualification that all bus, coach and lorry drivers will need to have
and is across the European Union to maintain high driving standards.  

Why?
The aims of Driver CPC are to:
• Improve road safety.
• Encourage drivers to continually update their skills and knowledge.
• Recognise and accredit skills for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers.
• Raise the status of bus, coach and lorry drivers to promote driving as a career.  

When did it start?
For bus and coach drivers it was the 10 September 2008 and for lorry drivers
it was the 10 September 2009.

Who is asking You to do this?
The Driver CPC is an EU requirement. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is responsible
for implementing it in Great Britain and is working with transport industry representatives
to ensure it is introduced successfully.  

How will it affect You?
If you are already a bus, coach or lorry driver, or you are thinking of becoming one, you will
need to prepare yourself to take regular ‘periodic training’.

If You already hold a bus, coach or lorry driving licence on the start dates you will have
‘acquired rights’ for the following 5 years and do not need to hold a CPC during that period.

You will, however, need to start work towards getting your CPC, if you wish to continue
driving beyond those 5 years.

What does the term ‘acquired rights’ mean?
‘Acquired rights’ or grandfather rights as they are often known, is a term used
when people who hold an existing qualification (for instance a vocational driving licence)
do not have to re-qualify when new conditions are introduced.
They are allowed to retain the rights they previously acquired.
If you hold a full vocational licence before the CPC implementation dates, you will fall into this category.

What is ‘periodic training’?
‘Periodic training’ is regular training that will continue throughout
your professional driving career to help you as a driver and to encourage safe driving for life.

You will need to complete ‘periodic training’ 35 hours of every 5 years to retain your Driver CPC.

There will be a range of courses available and training will be tailored to suit your individual needs
to help you become an even better driver.

The training is grouped under three headings:
• Safe and fuel efficient driving (this may include vehicle loading, fuel consumption and pollution).

• Legal requirements (rules for tachograph, especially one in a commercial vehicle or coach recording speeds
and distances travelled. In effect, a tachograph records the hours worked by a driver and Drivers hours).

• Health and Safety, Service and Logistics (including First Aid, Passenger Safety, Customer service).

Only courses approved by the DSA and delivered by accredited training organisations
will count towards your ‘periodic training’ which will enable you to obtain your Driver CPC.  

What about new drivers?
Anyone obtaining or applying for a lorry, bus or coach licence after the implementation dates
will not have acquired rights.

They will not be able to obtain their first Driver CPC by taking their ‘periodic training’ on its own.
They will have to take an initial Driver CPC test before being able to drive professionally.
This can be taken at the same time as the vocational driving test.

 What is the initial CPC Test?
The initial Driver CPC test is in two parts
• A Driver CPC Theory Test (which lasts 4 hours in total with case studies).
• A Driver CPC practical test
(which lasts two hours and includes elements similar to the ‘show me, tell me’ part of the existing
practical driving test taken by all car drivers).

The new test will enable drivers to gain a more in-depth and practical understanding of driving
as a profession, and once the initial Driver CPC test has been passed you will be entitled to
a Driver CPC and a vocational Driving Licence.

So once I have got my Driver CPC, is that it?
No, a Driver CPC lasts for five years.
To qualify for a further Driver CPC, you will need to complete 35 hours of ‘periodic training’.
If the end date passes without you undertaking any such training, then your Driver CPC will expire,
and you could face legal charges if you continue to drive in a professional capacity.

Can I ignore Driver CPC and still drive professionally?
The simple answer is ‘no’ you cannot ignore Driver CPC. If you are a bus, coach or lorry driver
and you are not covered by any exemptions you will need to take action.

What are the exemptions?
You don’t need a Driver CPC if the vehicle you drive is
• Not authorised to exceed 45 kph
• Being used by or under the instructions of the armed forces, the police or a fire rescue authority.
• Undergoing road tests for technical development repair or for maintenance purposes.
• Being used in a state of emergency as part of a rescue mission.
• Being used for driving lessons for either driving licence or Driver CPC purposes.
• Not being used to carry passengers or goods for commercial purposes.  

How can I find out more?
Keep your eyes and ears open for any coverage of Driver CPC on the Radio, TV and in the press.
You can also contact DSA on www.transportoffice.gov.uk/cpc,
or
e-mail drivercpc@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
or
Telephone 0115 9015879

Good Luck With That…

You can also Contact Me!
Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI Fleet Trainer
07968 487 897

Thanks