Simon Barker

If you are currently working in the passenger transportation or road haulage industry, you should already know about the driver cpc certification and why it is so important. However, if you are still not familiar with this certification, we aim to change that with the following post.

What Exactly Is Driver CPC?

The first and foremost thing you need to understand about driver CPC is that it is now a requirement that anyone working as a professional lorry, coach or bus driver should hold a licence for this certification. CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence and it doesn’t matter whether you are new or have been in the industry for many years, you need to comply with the legislation regarding driver CPC.

The Goals Of Driver CPC

The main goal of Driver CPC is to make sure that drivers are trained well and know as much as they need to about the most up-to-date legislation. As a result of this, it can help lower the number of casualties on the road and improves road safety in general.

From an employer’s standpoint, driver CPC is of benefit because it reduces maintenance costs for vehicles and increases the productivity of your workforce by:

• Reducing the premiums on insurance because fewer accidents occur
• Reducing the interruptions to business because fewer accidents occur
• Reducing the wear and tear on business vehicles because drivers follow better practices
• Increases fuel efficiency
• Increases in staff retention

Who Requires Driver CPC?

All existing and prospective professional coach, bus and lorry drivers are affected by the new Driver CPC legislation. So whether you have new recruits or drivers that have worked for you for a long time, you need to fully understand the CPC legislation, in line with the updates made in September 2014.

Complying With the New Driver CPC Regulations

The initial qualification through the Driver CPC scheme is for all new drivers looking to start working professionally in the passenger transportation or road haulage business. The initial qualification entails 4 separate parts, that all drivers need to pass in order to qualify.

These parts are

Part 1 – The Theory Test, which is multiple choice and hazard perception section)

Part 2 – Case Studies Test Regarding Driver CPC

Part 3 – Test on Driving Ability

Part 4 – Practical Driver CPC Demonstration Test

All drivers that pass all four parts successfully will qualify for a driver CPC qualification card that they must carry with them whenever they are driving in a professional capacity and it is valid for 5 years.

What Is Periodic Training?

If you have already done some research into Driver CPC you may have seen references to something called Periodic Driver CPC Training. In case you are unclear, this is additional training that all Driver CPC licence holders must complete every 5 years, in order to revalidate their Driver CPC status. The periodic training they complete must amount to 35 hours.

This additional training can be taken in the form of additional courses, that not only fulfil the driver CPC compliances but help to improve a driver’s skills. Some of the popular course you may be able to find available in your area include:

Driver CPC Theory workshops

CPC Operators Courses

Driver Assessors Courses

Defensive Driver Skills Training

Is Anyone Exempt?

Although the regulations regarding Driver CPC applies to most people, there are some instances where individuals may be exempt. Drivers do not require Driver CPC training or certification, for instance, if they are driving a vehicle:

• with an authorised maximum speed of no more than 28 mph;
• used or authorised by forces in charge of maintaining order among the general public, the fire services, civil defence and the armed forces;
• being road for technological advancements and development, maintenance or repair;
• that is new or has been rebuilt recently and not been put properly into service yet;
• used for rescue missions and states of emergency;
• used to give driving lessons to individuals looking to obtain either a standard driving licence or a Driver CPC qualification;
• used for transporting goods or passengers in a non-commercial capacity;
• carrying equipment or materials used for the driver’s work, as long as driving does not constitute a principal part of their work activity.

Hopefully, this post has helped to clear up anything you did not understand regarding driver CPC and that you see how crucial it is that you personally or any of your employed drivers have this qualification if they working in a professional capacity. It may well be if you meet any of the above criteria, that you are exempt from it, but it is more than likely that you will require driver CPC and fortunately, it is very easy to get.