Driver CPC for Lorry Drivers Takes Effect from 10th September 2009

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence for lorry drivers comes into effect from 10th September.

Driver CPC is a qualification, which lorry drivers will need to have with aims to:

• improve road safety
• recognise and accredit skills for professional lorry drivers
• to encourage drivers to continually update their skills and knowledge
• raise the status of bus, coach and lorry drivers and promote driving as a career.

Bus and coach drivers are also required to have this qualification; however their requirement came into force in September last year.

If you already hold a lorry driving licence on the start dates, you will have 'acquired rights' for the next 5 years and will not need to hold a CPC during that time.

If you wish to carry on driving after those 5 years, you will have to undertake 'periodic training', which consist of 35 hours training every 5 years in order to retain your Driver CPC.

However, new drivers who do not already hold a lorry driving licence on the start date will be required to undertake an initial Driver CPC test before being able to drive professionally. The initial Driver CPC test will consist of a theory test and a practical test.

Again, in order to retain the Driver CPC, drivers will need to complete 35 hours of 'periodic training'. If you fail to complete the training and continue to drive professionally beyond the end date of your CPC, you could face legal charges.

For more information view the DSA's Driver Certificate of Professional Competence Booklet.

Driver CPC for Bus, Coach and Lorry Drivers

A new qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers - the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is coming. In future, just holding a vocational driving licence will not be sufficient for someone who wishes to drive these vehicles for a living.

The Driving Standards Agency is taking the lead in implementing EU Directive 2003/59 which requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence. It comes into force across all European Union member states on:

• 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers
• 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers

In order to maintain their Driver CPC, all category C and D licence holders (including C, C1, C1E and D, D1, DE, D1E) will be required to undertake 35 hours Periodic Training every 5 years.

Driver CPC also introduces a new Initial Qualification for drivers entering the industries after these September dates which they must complete in order to drive professionally.

The DSA is working closely with trade associations for the freight, bus and coach industries, the Sector Skills Councils and other government agencies to ensure Driver CPC is implemented in a way that suits the needs of the industries.

Please Note:
Any lorry of 3.5 tons and upwards and minibuses with 9 seats or more are covered by Driver CPC.

Driver CPC will enable young people to enter these sectors in a safe and professional manner, from 18 years of age; subject to any licence restrictions for category D drivers (see 'Minimum ages' section under Driver CPC evidencing, enforcement and exemptions).

The existing 'Transport Manager's CPC' also known as the 'Operator's CPC' is a separate qualification and anyone holding one, who still drives professionally as part of their job, will also need to hold a Driver CPC.

Please see the links below for further information:

• Driver CPC Training Directive 2003/59/EC
• Driver CPC Training consultation responses