Driver CPC
Every driver must have a Driver CPC card if they are driving professionally.
There are 2 different routes for the Driver CPC.
Route 1 - Having Driver CPC through ‘acquired rights’
You could have the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) through ‘acquired rights’ if you’re already a professional lorry, bus or coach driver.
You’ll have ‘acquired rights’ if you are a:
Lorry Driver and got your vocational licence (C, C1, C+E and C1+E) before 10th September 2009.
Bus or Coach driver and got your vocational licence (D, D1, D+E and D1+E) before 10th September 2008 – this includes a restricted vocational licence D(101) issued after 1991 and D1(101) issued before 1997 (though you should by now have completed periodic training).
If you’ve got your Driver CPC by ‘acquired rights’ you must have completed 35 hours of periodic training by 9th September 2014 if you’re a lorry driver. If you’re a bus or coach driver, you must have already completed your training by 9th September 2013 to keep driving professionally.
This training is classroom based and held at our premises at Felling, Gateshead. This consists of 5 modules with each module giving a credit of 7 hours and once all 5 modules (35 hours) have been completed the Driver & Vehicle Agency will issue the driver with their Driver Qualification Card.
Route 2 - Initial CPC
If you passed your car test after 1997 you must do the Initial CPC if you are going to be driving professionally.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Initial qualification has 2 parts which means that drivers will need to complete 4 parts to gain their full vocational driving licence:
- Part 1 – Theory tests (this includes 2 separate tests – multiple-choice and hazard perception)
- Part 2 – Driver CPC Case Study test (computer-based exercise with 7 studies based on real-life situations – e.g. driving in icy conditions)
- Part 3 – Driving Ability test
- Part 4 Driver CPC Practical Demonstration test (this takes 30 minutes – you will need to show you can keep your vehicle safe and secure, e.g. loading your vehicle safely)
You must pass all 4 parts to get your Vocational Driving Licence & Driver CPC
You can be fined up to £1000 if you are driving professionally without a Driver CPC.
We also offer individual modules which can count towards 7 hours of your Driver CPC. The current modules are;
- Tachograph Legislation, Compliance and Fatigue
- Operator Licencing/Enforcement/Loading
- Professional Driver, Personal Health and Wellbeing
- Transport/Personal Health and Safety
- Safe Loading/Safe Transportation/New Technology
It is your responsibility to check that you have not already sat a module, as you are prohibited to repeat them.
Please also see the ADR Course as this can count towards 28 hours of your Driver CPC.