If you are a professional bus, coach or lorry driver you must have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). Find out how to get your Driver CPC if you are new to driving professionally and what rules apply if you are an existing driver.
Periodic Training; 35 hours of training every 5 years must be attended by all professional drivers .Periodic training is continuing professional development for bus, coach and lorry drivers. It carries on throughout the professional driver's career - no matter how infrequently they drive.
The minimum length of a training course is seven hours. Where a course of seven hours is split into two parts the second part must start within 24 hours of the completion of the first part.
It is important that you allow yourself enough time to complete
your training within the five year period. There is no advantage in delaying your periodic training. The sooner you train, the sooner your knowledge and skills will be refreshed and updated, which will enhance your professionalism.
Driver CPC requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to complete a minimum of 35 hours periodic training every five years for as long as they wish to continue to drive professionally.
Periodic training is designed to complement the individual driver's work and be relevant to their every day job. Courses may include fuel efficient driving style training, defensive driving techniques, first aid, health and safety, driver's hours regulations and tachographs. Courses will also enable drivers to keep up to date with changing regulations. The syllabus broadly covers: Safe and fuel efficient driving Legal requirements Health and safety, service and logistics
Day 1 PSV / HGV | Day 2 PSV / HGV |
---|---|
Customer care, Passenger rights and Safety National and International Activities Driving licence & Loading Highway code |
Communication |
Day 3 PSV / HGV | Day 4 PSV / HGV |
Dealing with emergencies First Aid Evacuation |
Health and Safety |
Day 5 PSV / HGV | Day 6 PSV / HGV |
Understanding drivers hours, logistics and record keeping with in transport industry | Day 6 can be tailored to your individual training needs. |
Initial CPC case study test | £30 |
Initial Practical CPC | £55 plus vehicle hire |
CPC periodic | £60 plus VAT per day |
The Driver CPC is for LGV and PCV drivers who drive professionally throughout the UK. It has been developed as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59, which is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers throughout their working life. There are two parts to the legislation:
The Initial Qualification must be achieved by new LGV and PCV drivers along with their vocational licence to enable them to use their licence professionally. The practical test is made up of two parts. The first is
a reversing exercise and is carried out at the test center. The second takes place on public roads and may include driving on motorways, depending on where you take your test. You will carry out exercises specific to the type of vehicle you drive.
The practical test also includes an eco-safe driving assessment which involves the examiner taking note of how you control the vehicle and plan your driving. This assessment does not count towards the result of the test, however the examiner will give you feedback at the end of your test.
The test takes 90 minutes, with at least an hour of driving. In addition to passing module 3, to obtain your Driver CPC you will also need to pass module 4 a practical test focusing on vehicle safety which was developed with the support and advice of the industry. In this 1/2 hour test you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in the areas listed below:
. Ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and proper vehicle use . Security of the vehicle and contents . Ability to prevent criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants . Ability to assess emergency situations
. Ability to prevent physical risk . Demonstrate your ability through a physical, walk round vehicle safety check
LGV tests may also use a piece of equipment which will allow you to demonstrate your ability to secure loads.
The test consists of 5 topic areas which cover the Driver CPC syllabus and in order to pass the candidate has to score 15 out of a possible 20 points in each topic area (75%) and an overall score of 80%.