The entitlement to drive Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV’s) is about to change.
You may have heard a few mutterings about Driver CPC recently. It’s one of the current hot topics in the haulage industry. But what’s it all about?
Driver CPC – or Driver Certificate of Professional Competence – is about improving the knowledge and skills of those who drive large vehicles. A good thing, we think, as it should improve safety on our roads.
It isn’t a voluntary thing. It’s all underpinned by legislation. Now here’s where things start to get a little complicated. Allow us to offer a simple explanation of the changes.
What is the Driver CPC?
The Driver CPC is a scheme for LGV (and PCV drivers) who drive professionally throughout the UK. It is being 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.
When will the Driver CPC scheme start?
Legislation to underpin the Driver CPC was put in place on 22nd March 2007 and the Driver CPC for LGV drivers will be implemented by 10 September 2009.
How will the Driver CPC affect my drivers?
Your driver’s individual circumstances will determine how they acquire the Driver CPC.
- New drivers acquiring a vocational entitlement (C1, C1+E, C or C+E licence) after the 10th September 2009 will have to obtain an initial CPC in addition to their LGV driving licence.
- Existing drivers who already hold a vocational licence on the 10th September 2009 are exempt from the initial CPC. This is known as “acquired rights”.
What will happen once a driver has their Driver CPC?
Irrespective of when or how a driver obtains the Driver CPC, he/she must complete a total of 35 hours Periodic Training within the following five years to keep the Driver CPC valid. LGV Drivers who are exempt from the Driver CPC via acquired rights will have to complete their periodic Driver CPC by September 2014.
Why react now?
Understandably, given the economic climate, some hauliers aren’t too happy about Driver CPC. This 35 hours of training will cost them time and money. Because of the recession, many in the industry look likely to put off training until the end of the 5 year deadline.
However, we would encourage those with haulage fleets to get their drivers trained to meet the Driver CPC requirements sooner rather than later.
To begin with, it’s a way for hauliers to stand out from the crowd, by showing they take the safety of their drivers and other road users seriously. We also feel over the next year or so, insurers may reward fleet operators that demonstrate that they take their driver training seriously, by starting their CPC programme early.
But also, there are around half a million licenced LGV drivers in the UK. If hauliers leave it too late, they could find there aren’t enough approved Driver CPC training centres around to cope with demand.
It goes without saying that haulage companies can’t operate without drivers and the inevitable mad scramble for qualifiaction in 2014, may leave you with too few qualified drivers.
The above is only intended as a brief guidance on the legislative changes, you may find this guidance document helpful to determine how you want to proceed and whether you want to establish yourself as an approved trainer or outsource the training.
For further information, please download this document here:
http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/CPC/guide_to_periodic_training.pdf
Written by Simon Fabian – Risk Advisor
Tags: Driver CPC, Driver CPC Info, Driver CPC information, What is Driver CPC
