Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Driver CPC?
• Why the Change?
• If Driver CPC focuses on competence, could we not simply raise the standard of the present driving license acquisition test?
• Who will Driver CPC affect?
• Does it affect me?
  • New Drivers
  • Existing Drivers
  • Both New and Existing Drivers
• Acquired Rights / Grandfather Rights
• Who is exempt?
• Can I work as a driver without a Driver CPC?
• License Types affected
• What will the Initial Qualification involve?
• Theory Test
• Practical Test
• Costs
• *General Initial Qualification Questions
• What will Periodic Training involve?
• Are there any tests to take for Periodic Training?
• Can the training be carried out flexibly - over several weeks/months/years?
• Can drivers do the same courses each year?
• Who will be responsible for creating courses for periodic training?
• How will periodic training be quality assured?
• Who governs the JAUPT?
• Will Driver CPC apply to foreign nationals?
• If I have both PCV and LGV licenses, do I have to do 2 lots of 35 hours every 5 years?
• Within the definition of the Working Time Directive, does course attendance for Periodic Training count as work?
• How will periodic training be recorded?
• How will Driver CPC status be evidenced?
• When do drivers get issued with their DQC's?
• Will it be an offence for someone to drive without a DQC?
• How will Driver CPC be enforced?

What is the Driver CPC?

The driver Certificate of Professional competence (CPC) will be a requirement for PCV and LGV drivers who drive professionally throughout the UK. It is being developed as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59/EC, which is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional PCV and LGV drivers throughout their working lives.

Why the Change?

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

• To improve road safety
• The road freight and passenger transport industries
  (Better staff performance, recruitment and retention, more economical vehicle usage)
• Improve perception of Professional Drivers
  (Skill levels and maintenance, career opportunities, professionalism)
• The environment
  (Reduced fuel consumption and vehicle wear)

If Driver CPC focuses on competence, could we not simply raise the standard of the present driving license acquisition test?

Driver CPC is intended to raise the professional standard of all professional drivers by improving the skills and knowledge they need to carry out their day to day work, it is not just about practical driving skills.

Who will Driver CPC affect?

All professional drivers of lorries over 3.5 tones, buses, coaches and minibuses unless they qualify for an exemption.

Does it affect me?

New Drivers acquiring a:

PCV vocational entitlement (D1, D1+E, D, D+E license) after 10th September 2008 and or
LGV vocational entitlement (C1, C1+E, C, C+E license) after 10th September 2009
Will have to obtain an initial qualification in addition to their license to drive professionally.

Existing Drivers who already hold a vocational license on

10th September 2008 (PCV) or
10th September 2009 (LGV)
Are exempt from the initial qualification. This is known as 'acquired rights'

Both New and Existing Drivers

Must complete a total of 35 hours periodic training within 5 years following their 'acquired rights' or initial qualification to keep their Driver CPC valid.

This is only a requirement if the driver is using their license professionally.

Acquired / Grandfather Rights

If you obtained a full PCV license before 10th September 2008 or full LGV license before 10th September 2009, you will have 'acquired rights' and will not have to undertake the 'Initial Qualification Driver CPC'

Who is exempt?

Anybody driving the following:

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

What will the initial Qualification involve?

The current license acquisition comprises of
1.5 hours theory + 1.5 hours practical

The Initial Qualification for Driver CPC comprises of 2.5 hours theory + 0.5 hours practical

Taking the Totals up to 4 hours theory + 2 hours practical

Theory test comprises of 3 modules

Module 1A

• 100 Multiple choice questions(pass mark of 85 / 100)

Module 1B

• Hazard perception clips(pass mark of 67 / 100)

(Modules 1A + 1B are taken at the same time and will take up to 2.5 hours)

Module 2

• 7 Case Studies (1.5 hours)(pass mark of 38 / 50)

This will include diagrams, pictures and graphics to which the driver will be given a scenario then asked questions

(Modules 1A, 1B and 2 can be taken at the same time)

Practical test comprises of 2 modules

Module 3

On - Road Practical testing (1.5 hours)

Module 4

Initial Driver CPC (0.5 hours)

This will include using a test vehicle with practical 'show me, tell me' questions

How much does the Initial Qualification Cost?

DSA estimates around £205 per test
(Made up of £75 for 4 hour theory + £130 for 2 hour practical)

I have a PCV license with a CPC Initial Qualification, if I want a LGV license, do I have to do another CPC Initial Qualification?

Yes. The Initial Qualification CPC is specific to each one.

What will Periodic Training involve?

Periodic Training will involve attending 35 hours of training every 5 years. Training providers have 3.5* hours or 7 hour courses to be attended over the 5 years.

*2 of the 3.5 hour courses must be completed within 24 hours.

Are there any tests to take for periodic training?

No there are no tests as it's 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?

Yes. The driver has flexibility as to how the training is taken over the 5 year period.

For example:

One days (7 hours) training every year
Two days training in the year 1 then 3 days training in year 5
5 days training in one year

Can drivers do the same courses each year?

Theoretically, yes. However, employers and drivers will be seeking value for money and repetition of the same courses will not be beneficial.

Who will be responsible for creating courses for periodic training?

It will be the responsibility of the training providers to deliver courses that comply with the regulations and meet employer's needs.

How will periodic training be quality assured?

This will be managed primarily through the auditing process of the Joint Approval Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) together with feedback from employers and employees. The JAUPT quality assurance process will include the review of course evaluation forms.

Who governs JAUPT?

The JAUPT is governed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Driver Vehicles Testing Agency. If is managed by two Sector Skills Councils (SSC's) ' Skills for Logistics' (LGV) and 'GoSkills' (PCV)

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 licenses professionally, do they need to do two lots of 35 hours Periodic training every 5 years?

No. The Directive states that the holder of a vocational license 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.

How will periodic training be recorded?

There is a central database at the DSA that will be updated by the training provider

How will Driver CPC status be evidenced?

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

When do drivers get issued with their DQC's?

When they have obtained their Initial Qualification or their 35 hours of periodic training.

Will it be an offence for someone to drive without a DQC?

Yes. There will be penalties for someone driving without their DQC. Allowances will be made for lose or stolen DQC's similar to the rules that are currently in force for lost or stolen digital Tachograph cards.

How will Driver CPC be enforced?

It will be enforced in a similar way to the enforcement of holding a driving license. The Police or VOSA will be able to ask for proof that a driver has CPC stats and issue appropriate penalties if the driver cannot prove this.

If you have a question that we have not answered please send us an email at info@nationwidetransporttraining.co.uk and we will endeavour to find an answer and reply to you.