Information on periodic training - part of the new Driver CPC
(Certificate
of Professional Competence)
which will affect all professional
drivers of buses and coaches (D, D1, DE, D1E licence holders) from 10th September
2008 and professional drivers of lorries (C, C1, CE, C1E licence holders) from
10th September 2009.
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What is
Driver CPC?
Driver CPC is being introduced across the European Union
to maintain high driving standards and improve road safety. All professional bus,
coach and lorry drivers must hold a Driver CPC if they want to drive for a living.
NB:
any drivers of lorries of 3.5 tons and upwards, and minibuses with 9 seats or
more must obtain a Driver CPC. The existing 'Transport Manager's CPC' also known
as the 'Operator's CPC' is a separate qualification and anyone holding one who
still drives professionally as part of their job will also need to hold a Driver
CPC |
How
Will It Affect Me?
All drivers will need to complete a minimum of
35 hours of periodic training within every five year period. The training will
require attendance at courses but will not require drivers to take or pass further
examinations.
How you gain your Driver CPC will depend upon whether you are
a new or existing driver. If you are an existing driver you will have 'acquired
rights' as you already hold a vocational driving licence (C, C1, CE, C1E, D*,
D1*, DE*, and D1E*) on the relevant start dates. Bus and coach drivers will hold
acquired rights up until 9 September 2013 and lorry drivers until 9 September
2014. To keep your Driver CPC and continue driving professionally beyond this
date, you will need to undertake regular periodic training.
* Those who have
an entitlement on their licence stating 'not for hire or reward' (Code 101) will
not have acquired rights and will have to take the initial qualification should
they wish to drive professionally.
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 | How
Will I Prove I Hold Driver CPC?
You will be able to prove you hold
Driver CPC by a Driver Qualification Card (DQC). The card will be issued to new
drivers automatically on successfully passing the initial qualification. Existing
drivers (holding a GB photo card licence) will be automatically issued with the
card on completion of the 35th hour of periodic training For existing drivers,
their 'acquired rights' means that their driving licence will be accepted as proof
of their Driver CPC status until they have completed their 35 hours training within
the first 5 year cycle at which point they will be issued with a DQC. 
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