The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), introduced in 2007, is a qualification that professional drivers of certain vehicles such as trucks and buses are required to hold in addition to their driving licence.
Except in the case where a driver had ‘acquired rights’ it is initially obtained by completing four test modules consisting of a two-part theory test, case studies, a practical driving test and a practical demonstration of vehicle operation.
Following this it is renewed by completing 35 hours of periodic training every five years.
The main objectives of the qualification have been to improve road and driver safety, and to raise the professional recognition of drivers, thereby attracting greater interest in the profession and increasing the number of drivers.
During the 2021 driver shortage crisis, the Government announced a policy review into the qualification to assess how it could be reformed to reduce the burden on drivers and ensure it did not act as a barrier to working in the sector.
The outcome, revealed in March 2023, proposed ways in which the Driver CPC could be reformed, which were then put to a public consultation.
Finally, in October this year, parliament agreed the changes, with the aim of increasing flexibility, cutting the minimum length of a training course from seven to three and a half hours.
With the amendments, due to take effect from 3 December, drivers will be able to choose to stay qualified by taking either the International Driver CPC or the National Driver CPC.
International Driver CPC
Under the International Driver CPC drivers will need to take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every five years to be allowed to drive in the EU and the UK.
The are no changes to how it works. This means that courses drivers take must be at least seven hours long and if a course is split over a day, it must be completed on two consecutive days.
Drivers are also allowed to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards their overall 35 hours of training
The National Driver CPC
As part of the National Driver CPC if a driver only wants to drive in the UK, they will be able to take either 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every five years or a combination of 35 hours of National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC training every five years.
Meanwhile, National Driver CPC courses have been cut from seven hours to three-and-a-half hours and, as previously recommended, e-learning modules will be decoupled from trainer-led courses.
Reaction
Logistics UK said that the revisions to the Driver CPC will ensure road safety is maintained while introducing much-needed flexibility into the training regime that will help retain drivers and ease the process for those returning to the industry.
Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK, Senior Policy Manager said: “The revised DCPC still requires 35 hours of training but now that the minimum course length has been reduced from seven hours down to three and a half hours, it will make scheduling training less burdensome for drivers and operators, while ensuring training material is focused and relevant.
“Reforming the role of e-learning will increase flexibility for operators and the option to retain full trainer-led periodic courses means that those drivers who are not comfortable with e-learning will still have access to face-to-face training.
“Logistics is not a ‘one size fits all’ sector and there are huge advantages to businesses being able to tailor drivers’ training content to suit their business needs.”
Logistics UK also supports the principle of ‘outcome-based learning’ outlined in the amendments and is ready to work with Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority (DVSA) to help encourage training to include some form of summative assessment at the end of the training module.
Under the changes, drivers will still be required to have their Driver CPC card – driver qualification card – (DQC) with them at all times.
However, from December 3, depending on which option a driver chooses to stay qualified with, they will get a different Driver CPC card which will look similar to the current card but include the text ‘Domestic UK use only’.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA), which has long campaigned for greater flexibility in Driver CPC to better reflect the needs of the industry, has also welcomed the reforms.
Sally Gilson, RHA Policy Lead for Skills, said: “Our members have been waiting for these changes since the consultation in March 2023.
“Giving drivers greater choice of how they gain their DCPC was a key reform and recognises the flexibility our hauliers need.”
In addition, there are changes for those returning to professional training after their Driver CPC has lapsed. Currently such drivers must take 35 hours of training before they are permitted to begin driving again.
From 1 February 2025, if a driver’s International or National Driver CPC has expired for between 60 days and two years, there are four options:
- Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training and start driving professionally again in the UK and EU.
- Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC training and start driving professionally again in the UK.
- Take a new seven-hour ‘return to driving’ training module and start driving professionally again in the UK. Alternatively, a driver can take 28 hours of other International Driver CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module to start driving professionally again in the EU.
- Take a new seven-hour ‘return to driving’ training module to start driving professionally again in the UK, Alternatively, take a further 28 hours of National Driver CPC or International Driver CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module.
John Keelan-Edwards, MD at Driver Hire Training said: “This is good news for the industry as the new option will be a more accessible and flexible qualification.
“It will allow the industry to remain efficient and safe as well as make it easier for current drivers to renew training.”
