CPC

Build valuable new skills

Under a new European Union Directive, anybody who drives a heavy-duty vehicle for a living needs to hold a Driver CPC qualification alongside their vocational driving licence.

The Driver CPC Periodic Training Requirement is a great opportunity for the drivers to keep their skills set current, and build valuable new skills to improve and further their career.

Cat C Driver Training Bournemouth
CPC Driver Training Bourenmouth

What is CPC?

The CPC qualification (Certificate of Professional Competence) is a qualification brought to bear by a recent European Union directive. The reason behind it is to make sure that only highly skilled personnel can drive heavy-duty vehicles. The aim is to increase safety in the industry and on the roads.

Employers are legally required to hire only drivers that possess the CPC and to make sure that they are renewing it every five years, as stated by the law.

Get in touch today for more information.

Who needs CPC?

Any drivers of lorries over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses with 9 seats or more must usually obtain a Driver CPC. The restrictions and requirements are different for various drivers depending on when they passed their driving test.
Drivers that have passed their car test before January 1997, and have a C1 or 7.5 ton entitlement on their license, don’t need to take the Driver CPC Initial Qualification.

Drivers that have passed the car test after January 1997, and are using their license for work, will need to take the Driver CPC. This change in legislation which took place in September 2009.LGV Licences issued from September 2009.

Any driver who obtained their LGV license before September 2009 and wants to drive for a living, needs to complete Periodic Training. Any driver who obtained their LGV license after September 2009 has 5 years to complete 35 hours periodic training from the date of completion of the Driver CPC Initial Qualification.The legislation affects anyone who intends to drive a HGV / LGV vehicle for a living. However if you only intend to drive for personal use (e.g. driving a horsebox or hiring a vehicle to move personal possessions) and are over 21 – the legislation does not affect you.

THE CPC TRAINING COURSE

The CPC course consist of 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to keep your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). You must take one of the following to your training: a photo card driving licence, a valid passport, a digital tachograph card or a driver qualification card (DQC).

WHEN TO TAKE DRIVER CPC PERIODIC TRAINING

Each 5-year period starts from 5 years before your current Driver CPC qualification runs out – not from the date you completed your last 35 hours of training but you must complete periodic training by 5 years from the date you got the initial qualification. It’s up to you when you take the training courses, as long as you do them within 5 years.

WHAT IS INVOLVED WITHIN CPC TRAINING

Periodic training is designed to confirm, and expand on, the existing knowledge and skills of each driver for example by enabling them to keep up-to-date with ever-changing legislation. The course will comprise of any of the following main modules: reversing vehicles, first aid, coping at the sharp end, working time/ drivers hours, manual handling, congesting busting, eco-safe driving and much more.

When you qualify you will be issued with a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which you must keep with you when you are driving professionally.

Driver CPC Initial Qualification

Module 2 is a case study test which is conducted at the Theory Test Centre. It lasts approximately 30 minutes, and can be revised online so you can take advantage of the sophisticated learning material which includes case studies, sample questions and mock tests to bring your knowledge up to the standard required to pass first time.

Module 4

Module 4 is a practical demonstration test which is done at your local test centre and lasts approximately 30 minutes. It involves walking around a stationary vehicle with the examiner and demonstrating that you can complete several crucial checks. This is usually conducted after you have passed your practical test or during your training week. There’s no driving involved in this test, but you must show the Examiner that you understand the safety features of the vehicle, that you know how to conduct rigorous checks for faults or illegal immigrants and smuggled packages, and that you understand how to load and secure the vehicle ready for a journey. The Examiner may also ask you to demonstrate the use of various different loading restraints, for example use a ratchet strap. To prepare you for this test you’ll receive training from your Instructor, in which you’ll be taught to use the load restraints and will be taught to check the vehicle thoroughly.

Courses

Dorset Driver Training offers so much more in the realm of driver training.

CPC MODULE 4

2 hours of expert training.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, or would like to enrol in one of our courses, please call us on 07918 064 998, fill in our enquiry form below or contact us by email info@dorsetdrivertraining.co.uk.


HGV Driver Training Poole

Driver qualification card (DQC)

If you passed your first LGV test after September 2009, and haven’t done so yet, you need to pass DVSA Module 2 & 4 tests to get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) to start paid driving work.