DRIVER CPC BACKGROUND
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence was introduced to the UK through EU Directive 2009/59. It is a qualification that all lorry, coach and bus drivers will need if they wish to drive professionally for a living. It has been introduced to improve the skills and knowledge of professional drivers. The directive has targeted certain areas for development, which include:
Improving road safety
- Recognising, underpinning and developing the knowledge and skills that are needed for a professional driver to undertake his/her duties.
- Keeping drivers up to date with new legislation applicable to them (i.e. drivers' hours, digital tachographs etc)
- Raising the profile and professionalism within the transport industry.
Following the issue of grandfather's rights for existing LGV licence holders in 2009 to hold Driver CPC Status, this placed these drivers in a five-year rolling block. For the majority of Drivers, the next qualifying block means a further 35 hours of training is due by September 24 to re-qualify for a further five-year period.
DO YOU NEED TO RETRAIN?
Newly qualified drivers who passed their LGV test after 9th September 2009, must complete their periodic training in five-year periods in keeping with their registered LGV test past date.
As a Transport Operator, please be aware that not all of your drivers will have been issued grandfather rights and therefore the 5 year Periodic Driver CPC renewal dates may differ between individual drivers.