New regulations that will come into force on 13 November 2013 concerning changes to Driver CPC exceptions were put before Parliament on 21 October 2013.

These changes relate to Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007 and removes the need for Driver CPC in the two circumstances below:

1. Driving vehicles to or from a relevant test – The vehicle test appointment must be made in advance for a specific time and date.  Relevant tests include an inspection / test for the purpose of technical development, repair or maintenance carried out  in Great Britain by a vehicle examiner or in Northern Ireland at a vehicle testing centre provided or maintained by the Department for the Environment for Northern Ireland.
2. Where a ‘relevant vehicle’ is being driven by a person whose principal work activity is not driving such a vehicle.  This new exemption includes four components. All of these must be fulfilled for the exemption to apply:

• The vehicle is being driven by a person whose principal activity in the course of his work is not driving relevant vehicles.
• The vehicle is being driven within a 50km radius of the drivers’ base – this is the address at which the driver came on duty immediately following the last period for which he was off duty for not less than 9 hours.
• The driver is the only person being carried on the vehicle.
• If the vehicle is carrying a load, the load can only be equipment or machinery, which is permanently fixed to the vehicle.

These changes come from the Department for Transport consultation conducted earlier in the year. They come into force 13 November 2013. VOSA has indicated that it will not take enforcement action against drivers before 13 November in circumstances that would be lawful after that date.