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Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is compulsory training for all drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. It is designed to improve drivers' awareness of road safety, promote the efficient operation of commercial vehicles and help drivers with their professional development. Commercial drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to keep their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to drive a bus, coach or lorry. Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC.
The aim is to boost drivers knowledge, skills, maintain high driving standards and improve road safety by continuous development throughout the driving career. It ensures all professional drivers have continuous training to keep them up to date with the current industry standards and legislation.
CPC training is designed to maintain drivers skills through continuous professional development. It should encourage drivers to follow best practice as well as compliance standards and ensure that legal, safety and environmental obligations are met. By regularly undergoing refresher training it will help to reduce bad habits, promote best practice and ensure the industry maintains its reputation for excellence. It also allows drivers to share their experiences on the road with other professional drivers.
You don't need the full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification if you're using the vehicle for: non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use, carrying material or equipment you use for your job (driving the vehicle can't be the main part of your job), driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC, driving to or from pre-booked appointments at official vehicle testing centres, driving within 62 miles (100 kilometres) of your base — but the vehicle can't be carrying passengers or goods, and driving a lorry, bus or coach can't be your main job, maintaining public order — and the vehicle is being used or controlled by a local authority, rescue missions or in states of emergency.
Periodic training is to be completed every five years in order to renew the DQC card. You must complete 35 hours of training over a five year period, this is broken down into five separate days (7 hours each day). This is mainly classroom based and incorporates a variety of different subjects — there is no test at the end of this but you are required to participate in group discussions.
