Driver CPC Training UK Ltd
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What is Driver CPC?

Driver CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) was introduced for LGV and PCV drivers who drive professionally throughout Europe. It has been developed as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59, which is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers throughout their working life.

The European Parliament and Council have introduced compulsory training for vocational drivers to help improve road safety and fuel efficiency, and also to encourage driving as a career in a bid to reduce the shortage of drivers in the UK and Europe.

This means all professional drivers for Buses/Coaches in categories D1, D1+E, D and D+E (PCV), together with drivers of goods vehicles in categories, C1, C1+E, C and C+E. (LGV) Will need to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training every FIVE years in a minimum of 7 hour blocks. However a course can be split into two roughly equal parts providing the second part starts within 24 hours of completion of the first part. This means a 7-hour course could be delivered over two consecutive mornings or two consecutive afternoons.

Once the driver has completed their 35 hours they will receive a ´Drivers Qualification Card', this card needs to be carried by the driver at all times whilst driving professional. The card is only valid for 5 years and is re-issued when the driver complete their next 35 hours training.

After the Driver has completed an approved Driver CPC course their details are updated on the DSA central database. This database will hold details about what training each driver has completed and if they hold a current Driver CPC Drivers Qualification Card.

What is the purpose of Driver CPC?

To improve the knowledge and skills of lorry and bus drivers helping:

  • Road safety (and thus all road users),
  • The road freight and passenger transport industries (better staff performance, better recruitment and retention, more economical vehicle usage),
  • Professional drivers (skill levels and maintenance, career opportunities, professionalism,)
  • The environment (reduced fuel consumption and vehicle wear).

What does the Driver CPC involve?

As well as a driving licence, lorry, bus and coach drivers who drive professionally will have to hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) which is renewable every 5 years.


Who will Driver CPC affect?

All professional drivers of Lorries over 3.5 tonnes, buses, coaches and minibuses over 9 seats unless they qualify for an exemption.

There is a number of Drivers CPC exemptions associated with the Directive. These are listed below

  • Vehicles with a maximum speed not exceeding 45 kph
  • Vehicles used by the armed forces, civil defence, and emergency services
  • Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance
  • Vehicles used in states of emergency
  • Vehicles used in the course of driving lessons or examinations
  • Vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passenger or goods for personal use
  • Vehicles used for carrying material of equipment to be used by the driver in the course of their work, providing that driving the vehicles is not the drivers principle activity

Can I work as a driver without a Driver CPC?

No, unless in exempted circumstances


Do the regulations for Periodic Training have any impact on those drivers who need to renew their vocational licence every year because of age or health reasons?

No, these drivers will still need to renew their licence as any other driver would.


Will Driver CPC apply to foreign nationals?

Yes, Driver CPC applies across all EU Member States therefore all of those drivers will be required to qualify and hold a Driver CPC in exactly the same way as UK drivers


If a driver uses both PCV and LGV licences professionally, do they need to do two lots of 35 hrs periodic training every 5 years?

No. The Directive states that the holder of a vocational licence for PCV / LGV need only complete 35 hours course attendance in a 5 year period.


Within the definition of the Working Time Directive, does course attendance for Periodic Training count as work?

The Working Time Directive states that if a driver is paid by their employer whilst attending training, then the hours would count as working time. Therefore if the driver is being paid whilst attending Periodic Training it would be counted as work.


Are there any tests to take for Periodic Training?

No there are no tests as Periodic Training is not a pass or fail course. It is recorded as hours of attendance.


Can the 35 hours training be carried out flexibly over several weeks/months/years?

The driver has flexibility as to how they take the 35 hours training over this time. For example a driver may complete a two day course in the first year, and a three day course in the fifth year.


Can drivers do the same courses each year?

Theoretically, this is possible. However, employers will be seeking value for money and repetition of the same course would not be beneficial.


If a driver already holds an initial CPC for one LGV category (eg rigid lorry Category C), will that person need another CPC to drive another LGV Category (eg articulated lorry Category C+E)?

No. (This will not affect the requirement to pass the relevant driving licence acquisition test for the additional category).


If a driver already holds an initial CPC for one PCV category (eg minibus sub-Category D1), will that person need another CPC to drive another PCV Category (eg full-sized coach Category D)?

No. (This will not affect the requirement to pass the relevant driving licence acquisition test for the additional category).


How will Periodic Training course attendance be recorded?

There will be a central database that will be updated by the approved training centre.


How will Driver CPC status be evidenced?

Drivers will have a separate Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which will have to be carried at all times when driving professionally.


Will it be an offence for someone to drive without a Driver CPC or DQC when they should have one?

Yes there will be penalties if someone drives without the Driver CPC and is not carrying their DQC. There will also be penalties for Operators who cause or permit a driver to drive without a Driver CPC or DQC. Allowances will be made for lost or stolen DQC's similar to the rules that are currently in force for lost or stolen digital tachograph cards.


How will the periodic training recording process be applied to drivers who do not have a UK Drivers Licence but work and live in the UK?

These drivers will have to carry a DQC in the same way that UK licence holders will.


How will Driver CPC affect foreign nationals who drive Lorries and buses in the UK?

It will not affect them. However, they will have to carry whatever their home country uses to evidence Driver CPC.