Cpc module 4 Lee valley

If you drive a bus, coach or lorry driver for a living, you must hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) status.

Driver CPC has been introduced throughout the European Union. Its aim is to maintain high standards of driving and improve road safety. Driver CPC covers anyone who drives buses, coaches and minibuses with nine or more passenger seats, and lorries weighing over 3.5 tonnes, for a living.

To keep your Driver CPC status, you will need to do at least 35 hours of periodic CPC training in each five-year period. Periodic training involves attending courses on various aspects of professional driving.

This guide explains what Driver CPC periodic training is, when you will need to take it, and who can offer it.

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Who needs to take Driver CPC periodic training?

All lorry, bus and coach drivers who drive professionally must renew their Driver CPC status by completing CPC training every five years.
Professional drivers who hold a relevant licence issued before the introduction of Driver CPC have 'acquired rights'. These 'acquired rights' are valid for five years from the introduction of Driver CPC.

Driver CPC introduction dates and licence categories

Driver CPC introduced	Licence type	Licence categories
10 September 2008	Bus and coach with more than nine seats	D, D+E, D1, or D1+E
10 September 2009	Lorry	C, C+E, C1, or C1+E

However, drivers with D, D1, D+E and D1+E entitlement on their licence stating 'not for hire or reward' (Code 101) do not have acquired rights. They will have to take the initial qualification tests to drive for a living.

Drivers with 'acquired rights' must complete periodic training during the current five-year period to keep their Driver CPC status.

Periodic CPC training can be completed before the current status ends. Each new five-year period will begin from when the current Driver CPC status expires. For example, if a driver with acquired rights completed periodic training for a bus licence in November 2011, their DQC will be valid until September 2018.

If a driver holds a vocational licence drive a lorry as well as bus or coach, they only need to complete one set of periodic training. To retain entitlement for both categories, this training must be completed before the expiry of Driver CPC status for the earlier category.

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CPC Training - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the purpose of Driver CPC?

A. 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)

As well as a driving licence, professional lorry and bus & coach drivers will have to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence which is renewable every 5 years. There will be an Initial Qualification for new drivers and Periodic Training for new and existing drivers. Driver CPC came into force on 10 September 2008 for PCV drivers and 10 September 2009 for LGV drivers. These implementation dates apply to all EU member states.

Q. Who will Driver CPC affect?

A. The Driver CPC is for LGV (C1, C1+E, C, C+E licence) and PCV drivers (D1, D1+E, D, D+E licence) who drive professionally throughout the UK, unless they qualify for an exemption.

Q. Can I work as a professional driver without a Driver CPC after 2013 (pcv) 2014 (2014)?

A. No, unless in exempted circumstances.

Q. Will Driver CPC apply to foreign nationals?

A. Yes, Driver CPC applies across all EU Member States therefore all professional EU drivers are also required to qualify and hold a Driver CPC.

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