The deadline for HGV drivers with acquired rights to finish their first 35 hours of Driver CPC periodic training expired on 10 Sept 2014. Driver CPC was first introduced in 2008 for bus and coach drivers and 09 for HGV drivers.
All new professional drivers had to start taking the
Driver CPC initial qualification from then.
However, existing drivers were given ‘
acquired rights’ to take into account their previous driving experience. The driver CPC rules mandate that both new and existing drivers must then do 35 hours of
periodic training every 5 years.
The Driver CPC training covers things such as:
- loading vehicles safely and securely
- making sure passengers are comfortable and safe
- applying rules concerning tachograph data and drivers’ hours
What if you haven’t completed your CPC training?
If you haven’t yet completed 35 hours of driver CPC training you are not allowed to drive professionally again until you do complete it. Any training hours that you have completed remain valid for a period of five years from the date the training was taken.
You can
check your Driver CPC periodic training hours on the Gov.UK web site.
What if I have completed my CPC training?
Drivers that have completed their 35 hours of Driver CPC training get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) and it must be carried at all times whilst driving a large goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle professionally.
What if I haven’t received my DQC or it is lost, damaged or stolen?
You can still drive professionally if you’ve completed your driver CPC training and you are waiting for your DQC to arrive. However, please contact the centre where you did your training if it isn’t showing on
your record after five days of taking the training.
If your DQC has been lost, stolen or damaged you should email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) immediately.
How will Driver CPC be enforced?
A £50 fixed penalty fine applies for driving professionally without having your DQC with you. However, driving without a valid DQC, or failing to produce it, carries a maximum fine of £1,000 for both the driver and the transport operator licence holder. Offences will be referred to the Traffic Commissioner who will then consider what action to take. This could include suspending the driver’s licence and/or the operator’s licence.
