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

Seven Secrets on how to save money on motoring!
A.C.O.S.T. Eco Driving 101
By; Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI
A19Fleet.co.uk

1) I love to drive, but walk were you can!

2) Check the tyre pressures at daily.

3) Accelerate in a business-like manner when pulling away, changing
up to a productive gear at 2,000 rpm (2,500 rpm for diesels)

4) “Block change” into the highest possible gear when the car reaches
a safe maximum and legal speed for the road and weather conditions.

5) Keep a safety gap from the vehicle ahead of you to smooth out your driving.
(Two seconds will greatly reduce the need for unnecessary braking and stopping.)

6) Drive within the speed limit.

7) Combine a number of tasks into one trip,  reverse into parking bays or driveways so that
you can drive straight forward and warm the engine up as easily and as safe as possible.

Malcolm
Post A Comment
Skype: Malcolm.Stephenson.UK
Text: Eco.00441642555567

Fuel prices are still high, A19Fleet.co.uk Advanced Eco Driving Tuition.
Has developed solutions to help companies reduce fuel bills and
their carbon footprint.

“Fuel and vehicle costs are a core part of a company’s fleet expenditure.
A19Fleet.co.uk teaches simple driving techniques which are easily
adopted in everyday driving behaviour, and have a significant
impact on fleet running costs”

“With On-Road Advanced Eco Driving Tuition, the average speed and MPG
recorded in the first and then a final lap to compare overall MPG saving.”

Driving in a more ‘eco-friendly’ manner has many benefits, both
environmentally and economically, with the most significant of
all the reductions being fuel efficiency.

“Poor fuel efficiency is often a result of erratic driving behaviour
and is characterised by harsh braking and rapid acceleration.
A19Fleet.co.uk develops driver hazard perception and promotes
smart, smooth and also more importantly, safe driving techniques”

Malcolm Stephenson. DSA ADI FLEET

My Top Ten Tips for Better Driving
By Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI Fleet

1. Think Out Loud! Remember that speed limits are not a target!

2. Contact your UK Road Safety Team! Tel: 01642 555 567

3. Say “Brake to Slow…Gear to Go” Think Out Loud!

4. Set realistic journey times. (Set Off In Good Time)

5. If you are driving a commercial vehicle or towing a trailer it is
more likely that you will be subject to a lower speed limit.  
Make sure you know what that limit is. (Are You Licensed?) 

6. As a passenger you can ask the driver to slow down.

7. Be aware of all other road users!  (Pedestrians, children
and the elderly, cyclists, domestic animals and motorcyclists!)

8. Be an ambassador for driving…Remember, if it is a built up area
 and if there is street lighting, you are in a 30mph limit unless signs
 show otherwise. (Schools…Think Out Loud)

9. Be responsible and check your speedometer and rev counter
 as frequently as you would your mirrors – it could save your licence
and significantly save fuel.

10. Choose the right gear to maintain control of your speed!

Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI Fleet
IAMFleet-SAFED-NDIS

Driving Instructor – Personal Risk Manager
Consultant Driver Trainer-A19Fleet.co.uk

malcolm@a19fleet.co.uk

Call me: 01642 555 567
Mobile: 07968 487 897

Don’t  Smoke, Drink or Talk and drive…

By Malcolm Stephenson

A19Fleet.co.uk

We are all influenced by “Big Brother” Watching us in all that we do
But when it comes down to common sense, why do experienced
drivers crash?

When we think about it with the benefit of hindsight…
“It doesn’t bear thinking about!”

Distraction is a big killer on the roads all around the world!

Truth be told it’s just too distracting to talk on a mobile phone while driving,
and though a hands-free device may help you keep both hands on the wheel,
it does nothing to help keep your mind on traffic rather than on your call.

“Driving at Work”  I’m a Risk Manager  & Consultant Personal Driver Trainer

Can I offer some Free Advice?

• Tip No. 1: The sight and sound of a ringing phone is to tempting, and you
risk picking it up and talking. So make sure you can’t see or hear it.
That means turning it off. Why?

Because, some blue-chip corporate company’s have a zero tolerance
and will say… “Engine ON…Phone OFF”

• Tip No. 2: Give your conscience a dose of “what-if” a guilt trip if you will,
 even if you’ve had no trouble talking and driving in the past.

Say to yourself…”I don’t know if I could live with myself if I caused injury or,
worse yet, someone’s death because I was distracted talking on the phone.”
Not nice…is it!

We’ve all seen the Stupid Driving by People using mobile phones.

·         Running Red Stop lights and Signs

·         Not driving away when a light turns green

·         Only going 40 mph when traffic is moving at 70 mph

·         Changing lanes without looking

·         Not driving away when expected to on roundabouts

Hands-free devices will help a little, but there’s no doubt just answering
or worse, Texting and Dialling a phone number is going to continue to distract
plenty of so called experienced drivers.

Plenty of reformed mobile phone user “Think about It” after rear-ending
a driver while answering or making that “Business Critical Call” on the company
business issued phone!

Fortunately, no one was injured…But…You might have said,
 “But my car was a mess and I felt pretty stupid.”

Talking on the mobile phone is like driving blind.

• Tip No. 3: Duh . . . give the phone to a passenger.

We all know some customers and company colleague’s who call, and call and call again.
“So give the phone to a passenger to answer it for you”.
Sometimes they will be familiar enough with the call that they can answer the question.
“Sometimes you could pull over in a safe place and stop the engine, so you can answer
the question for yourself. But please stop talking on the mobile phone while driving.”

A survey of hands-free car kit users shows 55 % of motorists say mobile phone used
while driving is very dangerous yet 63% admit to yakking behind the wheel – for an
average of an hour a day, and primarily for non-urgent matters.

·         What’s for dinner tonight?

·         Who is picking up the kids?

·         Traffic is bad and I’ll be late!

·         Hello, how are you doing?

So . . .

I like to think that my conscious decision to not use a phone has made me more
aware of the challenges on our country roads, motorways, town’s and city streets.

Are my pals at the “Institute of Advanced Motorists” and I shouting at windmills?

We’re a minority, I know that.

I also know there are a lot of folks who work in on-call positions, and need to answer
their phone when it rings, no matter what they’re doing.

That’s Life!

By pulling off the road, to answer client calls. Must be Good Practice.

 But, of course, there are even better recommendations: Ask me about…
“Think Out Loud!”

 “This may sound strange coming from a guy who is Driving Traffic For Living,
but I believe that’s the best practice advice.”

******************************************

Contact Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI Fleet at:
malcolm@a19fleet.co.uk

And you can call The London Office:
+44 (0)2030 111 462.

The Power of VideoConferencing

“Use Video Conferencing to Reduce CO2”

·         The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC)

·         The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

·         And the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

All have published reports that said the technology is
vital to reducing business travel.

In summing up the report from the IPPR and SDC,
the government is asked to

·         “Reduce business travel…by speeding the uptake of
technology alternatives such as telepresence” -
another term for VideoConferencing. 

“For the first time, virtual meetings are a real time
alternative to travelling for many types of meeting,
from board meetings to project team building
and updates, where the individuals already know
each other and working relationships are well
established.”

An example cited in the report was of a
financial company that avoided approximately
200 transatlantic flights and 60 European
flights by using such a system for 158 meetings,
saving nearly £1.8m and 450 tonnes of
C02 emissions in the process.

The WWF report said two thirds of FTSE 350 companies
were in favour of proposals for the government to
introduce an Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme
for organisations investing in telepresence technology.
Yes just another term for VideoConferencing.

Link to report :Click Here!

>>> Special Message <<<  

From Global Leader Malcolm Stephenson from the UK

“With MyVideoTalk we are Bringing the World Closer Together!” 

MyVideoWebMeeting helps save CO2, while helping to save time
and save money.

An Amazing Product to Reduce Your
Carbon Footprints! 

With Many Global Markets Hit Hard!

The cost of gasoline in the US has nearly hit $5 U.S. a gallon
and the price of jet fuel is skyrocketing as well.

In Europe it is so much higher than that.
(£130.9p Per Litre at the time of writing this)
“You Do The Math”

This puts any small & medium business alongside large
companies today in a very vulnerable position.

The cost to do business today is growing at such an alarming rate. 

Can you believe it…
There is a company out there that can save
business owners and companies all around the globe
from this fiasco?

That company is MyVideoTalk, a global leader in video
streaming technology for the Internet.

MyVideoTalk offers live video WebConferencing
via the Internet.

100% secure private WebConference rooms that are available
to you & me 24/7 and cost less than a us gallon of gas per day!

The Hybrid Traffic of the Internet

(No gas required!).

The Government has announced plans to introduce major reforms
to the way people learn to drive, how they are tested and how motorists
especially those who drive at work!

We will be expected to embrace a culture of lifelong learning.

“Changes include the basics of car control, driving in difficult
weather and at night and enhancing driver risk awareness to
help novice drivers predict the intentions of other road users.”

A vital component of this ‘skill for life’ concept will be the development,  of
vocational qualifications for all at-work drivers, particularly van drivers.

“Employers and insurers should have greater confidence in the driving abilities
of those who have undertaken further training, and so we will work with them
to develop proposals for post-test courses and qualifications that produce
safer drivers, and that they are prepared to reward,”
said transport minister Ruth Kelly.

“Examples of this could include a new advanced training qualification, a course
in motorway driving or vocational qualifications such as for van drivers.”

A19 Fleet Driving Road Safety welcomed the news.

Its director, Malcolm Stephenson, said:“Whether driving company cars, vans or
their own vehicles on business, employees who drive as part of their job undertake
daily one of the most dangerous tasks they will ever be asked to undertake in
their working life.
www.A19Fleet.co.uk  Support the Lifelong learning for at-work drivers!

Thinking about all that is wonderful at Christmas

Thinking “Out Side The Box”

Think about it, “Thats the Secret to SAFE Driving!”

My Very Best Wishes For The New Year

Malcolm Stephenson
A19Fleet.co.uk
07968 487 897

A survey carried out by fleet management specialist claims that 83% of companies
have no system in place to manage and monitor drivers that are using their own cars
for business purposes. It is estimated that the so-called ‘gray fleet’ – an expression
coined because so little appears to be known about them – comprises  approximately
1,000,000 vehicles.

Employers imagine that, just because they are not directly responsible for the
provision of the vehicle, they no longer have a duty of care towards that driver.
In the event of a serious incident they may still be liable, particularly as 53%
appear not to check that insurance cover includes business use and 35% of
employers don’t even check if employees have valid licences.
Even more worryingly only 24% of businesses carried out any form of
driving risk assessment, something that is a legal requirement.

A19Fleet can of course offer guidance and advice on a whole host of
risk management issues, and supply the solutions where necessary.

Malcolm Stephenson
A19Fleet Driving Road Safety Training

2.3m fall asleep at the wheel, says survey!
18 September 2007

An estimated 2.3 million drivers fall asleep at the wheel every year, according to new research.

Of 1,000 drivers questioned in a joint survey by road safety charity Brake and recovery company
Green Flag, 7% admitted to falling asleep at the wheel.

If this percentage is applied to all registered drivers, it is possible that millions are dozing off on
Britain’s roads.

More than a quarter of those interviewed believed they had been a passenger while a tired driver
was in control.

Despite the government’s campaign encouraging drivers to “Take a Break” it appears that many
are not doing so.

The report reveals that 78% of drivers rely on opening a window or turning up music to combat
tiredness, instead of taking regular breaks.

Malcolm Stephenson, of  A19Fleet.co.uk  said, “It’s crucial that drivers planning long journeys or
driving at unusual hours are aware of the dangers of driving while tired. You can avoid it by.”

• Getting a good night’s sleep beforehand.
• Taking regular breaks.
• “Best Practice” Driving at Work

For more help with this;
Contact: Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI FLEET

www.A19Fleet.co.uk

01642 555 567

07968 487 897