GENERAL OVERVIEW

Every now and then a piece of legislation descends upon us and causes us worry and financial concern. Normally this legislation arrives from Brussels in the form of a European Directive and in this case 2003/59 “The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence” or CPC for short.  From September 2009 the CPC requires the driver of a goods vehicle which exceeds 3.5 tonne G.V.W. and is classed as “in Scope” to undertake 35 hours of training every five years, (known as periodic training). Failure to comply would result in heavy fines for the driver and the operator alike. The CPC is designed to lift the professional status of drivers and maintain fair competition for Operators throughout Europe.  Driver CPC should not be confused with Operator CPC.  All drivers that currently have grandfather rights with a vocational license can continue to drive until 09 Sep 2014 without CPC.  Any new drivers from the 10 Sep 2009 will have to complete 25 hours CPC as part of their training course.  If you hold a LGV and PSV license you only need complete 35 hours training to count for both licenses.

DELIVERY OF TRAINING

Only approved courses taken with approved training centres will count towards periodic training, the approval process for courses is managed on behalf of the Department For Transport (DfT) by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT).  All training course must first be approved by JAUPT this also includes the trainer.

PROOF OF DRIVER CPC AND ENFORCEMENT

Proof of holding a Driver CPC will be a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) this will be issued direct by DSA it is therefore important that your details are fully up to date with DVLA.  You are not penalised for taking CPC before 2014 if you are already a holder of a vocational license.  You must carry your DQC with you at all times if you are driving professionally if found without one you are subject to severe penalties (£1000 fine). You must report your card lost or stolen within 7 days to the DSA and apply for an additional card; you may continue to drive for up to15 days until the replacement is received. The DQC can be checked at anytime by the police, VOSA and any enforcement authority in any EU member state.

CPC CONSESSIONS

There are a number of concessions which will allow driving without a DQC, if in doubt guidance can be sort from the DSA or a qualified CPC trainer.  Some of the concessions are listed below:

• Undergoing road tests for technical development repair or maintenance purposes or new or rebuilt vehicles not yet in service.
• Used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving license or Driver CPC.
• A vehicle with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45kph.
• Used for the non commercial carriage of goods or passengers for personal use.
• Used by or under control of the Fire Service, Armed Forces, civil defence and forces responsible for maintaining public order.
• Used for assigned rescue missions or in states of emergency.
• Carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of their work provided that driving the vehicle does not constitute the drivers principle activity.