The New Driver CPC Requirements

The Driver CPC is a new regulation for professional drivers of coaches, buses, and lorries. Since its implementation in 2008, simply holding a vocational driving licence is no longer sufficient for drivers of such vehicles. CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence. The main purpose of this new legislation is to improve road safety by providing more qualified drivers, as well as to better the image of the profession in order to attract more people to choose it as a vocation. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence will not only increase the skills and knowledge of new drivers but will also require them to continue to maintain these skills as they work in the field.

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence applies to all drivers of Category C and Category D vehicles. The regulation was put into effect in September of 2008 for PCV drivers and September of 2009 for lorry drivers. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence must be renewed every 5 years. In order to do this, a driver will need to complete 35 hours of approved continuing education training. CPC training courses can be staggered over the five years, or it can be taken all at once.

In order to obtain the initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, a driver will need to complete four test/education modules including a 2 hour theory test, a 1 hour theory test of case studies, a 1 hour practical test, and a 1 hour practical demonstration of vehicle safety. New drivers will have the option to obtain the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence at the same time that they obtain their vocational licence. There are a variety of entities in the United Kingdom that provide LGV training and PCV training. Such facilities must be approved by the Secretary of State and can be found by searching the Internet.

Drivers already working at the time of this policy's development will be automatically given certification for five years, but will then begin the renewal schedule like all other drivers. Drivers of both PCV and LGV vehicles will still only have to complete 35 hours of training. Those drivers who decide to upgrade their licence from a Category C to a Category C + E will not need to renew their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence early or alter it in any way.

The new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence has certainly changed the way drivers of PCV and LGV vehicles are trained. Though the training time is longer and the education more extensive, the quality of drivers on the road has improved dramatically. Not only that, but with the continuing education requirement, drivers will consistently improve throughout the whole of their careers.