Driver CPC Training Course

Why is it being introduced

The Driver CPC is the result of European legislation designed to improve road safety. The supporting legislation is contained within EU Directives 2003/59. According to the Department for Transport, the aim of the Driver CPC is to provide a better standard of qualified commercial driver to help reduce road casualties. It says the Driver CPC should also bring an improved professional and positive image to the road transport industries, attracting more people to drive buses, coaches and trucks for a living.

It is aimed not only at improving the knowledge and skills of LGV and PCV drivers when they first start work, but also at ensuring those skills are maintained and developed throughout the driver's working life and developing career.

The Driver's CPC (or DCPC), introduced in September 2009 will hopefully support a change in public perception by introducing compulsory training for vocational drivers. To maintain one's DCPC, all category C and D licence holders will be required to undertake 35 hours of periodic training every five years.

If a driver does not have a valid Driver CPC qualification card after 10 September 2014 deadline (for goods vehicles), it becomes unlawful to drive a commercial vehicle over 3.5 tonnes GVW professionally. It is a compulsory periodic training requirement.

New LGV licence applicants must take an extended test that includes Driver CPC training. Existing LGV vocational licence holders (before September 2009) are not required to gain initial qualification , but need to complete 35 hours of periodic training by 10 September 2014 for goods vehicles, after this point, periodic training is recurrent every five years.

The 35 hours of training required for qualification must be delivered in a minimum of 3.5 hour chunks within a 24-hour period, the results of which are recorded and held at the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) database.

Exemptions

The directive does not apply to the drivers of:

• Vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use
• Vehicles undergoing road test for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles, which have not yet been put into service
• Vehicles used in the course of driving lessons for the purpose of enabling that person to obtain a driver licence or a Driver CPC
• Vehicles carrying material or equipment to be used by that person in the course of his or her work, provided that driving that vehicle does not constitute the driver's principal activity.
• Vehicles with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45kph
• Vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order
• Vehicles used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions

Approved Training Centre

An approved training centre with approved courses must deliver all driver CPC training. All approved training centres will be subject to audit to enable us to comply with approved criteria.

Chemfreight DGT Ltd is one of the approved training centres and is a registered training company for driver CPC and operator CPC with examination centre approval.

This means we are now in a position to provide the required training laid-down by the syllabus. If you do however, have any special requirements which you believe may enhance your business, do let us know and one of our qualified and experienced instructors will write a training programme and then submit with the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT).

ADR Training as part of Driver CPC

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has approved the requests from industry to allow most of ADR training to count towards Driver CPC periodic training. The rules that apply are as follows:

• Up to a maximum of 21 hours of the initial basic course can be approved for periodic training
• Seven hours of the core module refresher course can be approved for periodic training
• Classes 1, 7 and Tanks delivered outside of the initial basic course will not be accepted for periodic training because it is considered that the syllabi for these modules are too specialist and do not map readily across to the Driver CPC syllabus
• Our Training Centre and Courses are approved in line with JAUPT regulations

Those that choose this route can make considerable savings with ourselves; the charging scale is as follows:

Add 7 hours Driver CPC for an additional £15 + VAT and DSA upload fee of £8.75 (VAT exempt) saving of £65 + VAT

Add 14 hours Driver CPC for an additional £30 + VAT and DSA upload fee of £17.50 (VAT exempt) saving of £130 + VAT

Add 21 hours Driver CPC for an additional £45 + VAT and DSA upload fee of £26.25 (VAT exempt) saving of £195 + VAT

These savings are based upon drivers attending separate days training for other approved training programmes, priced at £80 + VAT, plus £8.75 DSA upload fee, per 7 hours of training.

Please note, those wishing to take advantage of combined ADR & Driver CPC, it is necessary to extend the training day, this is because the ADR course programme does not entirely map-across as intended by the Driver Standards Agency (DSA).

Those taking this route do not need to take any further SQA exams for their ADR Certificate, they are attending extra elements of the ADR course that they would either sit-out of or have gone home, either way it's unlikely they'll go back to work. It is for this reason the most cost effective way in achieving the training hours, particularly on initial courses. See the following examples:

• ADR Refresher 2.5 days, out of work 3 days. Only worth 1 day CPC - total of 7 hours
• ADR Initial 3.5 days, out of work 4 days. Worth 3 days CPC - total of 21 hours

Comparing the two courses and taking advantage of the Driver CPC hours on an Initial Course as opposed to a Refresher Course can save you time and money. Please note we only charge for the ADR modules that you require on the ADR certificate. Our pricing structure works well for you, should you have any queries then please call and we'll work out the best price for you.

Driver shortages?

If ever there was an occupation needing an injection of new blood, lorry driving would be right at the top of the list. According to government figures in 2008, only 2% of LGV drivers' were under 25 years old and 53% of lorry drivers' were 45 years old or over.

According to a recent survey, 90% of operators believe the Driver CPC is a "positive step", but 60% have not started training their drivers'.

Remember - The Driver CPC deadline is September 2014, so spread your training and costs over the next few years in order to avoid driver shortages and increased training fees in the final year.

Please contact Chemfreight so we can formulate a programme that would be beneficial to your drivers' and enhance your company.

Training Programmes

A seven hour course can be delivered in two 3.5 hour parts provided both parts are delivered within 24 hours.

We can offer the following approved training programmes, most are 3.5 hours that can be linked to form a 7 hour course.

• ADR Core, load distribution & consequences of overloading (7 hours)
• ADR Core continued, Packages, Class 2, drivers hours regulations (7 hours)
• ADR continued, Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, & 9, contracts of carriage, CMR liabilities, Operator licences (7 hours)
• ADR Refresher, Core, Packs & Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9 (7 hours)
• Safe loading and transit of goods (3.5 hours)
• Drivers hours, records & working time (3.5 hours)
• Emergency aid for LGV drivers' (3.5 hours)
• Sleep deprivation and tired awareness (3.5 hours)
• Digital tachograph (3.5 hours)
• Physical and mental ability (3.5 hours)
• Security, prevention of criminality (3.5 hours)

Conclusion

The key element to a successful DCPC learning experience and to achieving a reasonable return on investment is in the quality of training. Credible industry-led training which is tailored to the needs of the company in question and provided by transportation compliance is fundamental. Furthermore, a simple certificate of attendance is not enough to ensure that trainees have digested all they have learnt. Instead, an assessment of each module as found in Chemfreight's DCPC training is highly recommended to ensure compliance and improve performance.

Questions & Answers

How will the Driver CPC affect me?

Your individual circumstances will determine how you acquire your Driver CPC:

• New drivers acquiring a vocational entitlement (C1, C1+E, C or C+E licence) after 10 September 2009 will have to obtain an initial CPC in addition to their licence.
• Existing drivers who already hold a vocational licence on 10 September 2009 are exempt from the initial CPC. This is known as "acquired rights".

What will happen once I gain my Driver CPC?

Irrespective of when or how you obtain your Driver CPC, you must complete a total of 35 hours of periodic training within the following five years to keep the Driver CPC valid. LGV drivers who are exempt from the initial Driver CPC via acquired rights will have to complete their periodic Driver CPC by 9 September 2014.

Does the Driver CPC only apply in the UK?

The Driver CPC is being introduced across all European Union member states and will be enforced in other EU countries in the same way, as it will be in the UK.

When do I get my driver's card?

You will be issued with your driver's qualification card once you have completed 35 hours of training.

Will I have to pay for it?

There will be no charge for the card at point of issue. As the card will be sent to the address on your driving licence, it is important that you keep your address details up-to-date with DVLA.

What happens if I do not carry it or lose it?

It will be mandatory for you to carry your card while driving and there will be penalties if you are found to be driving professionally without one. If your card is lost or stolen you must report it within seven days and apply for a replacement. You will be able to drive for up to 15 days without a card while a replacement is sent.

What happens if I hold both truck and bus licences?

If a driver holds both a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) and Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence they will only be required to complete one set of periodic training.

What happens if I am not satisfied with the training my drivers are receiving?

All training centres and courses are subject to audit. Approval may be withdrawn if either are found to be non-compliant with the approval criteria, or if trainers delivering the training are not suitably experienced.

Does it matter if I leave my first 35 hours of periodic training until 2014?

You can continue to drive professionally under acquired rights until 9 September 2014, but if you leave all your periodic training until then, there is a danger that courses will be over-subscribed.

What happens if I have not completed all 35 hours of periodic training by then?

You will lose your Driver CPC and may be required to complete another 35 hours' training before you can drive again professionally.

Chemfreight DGT are Quality Assured to ISO 9001-2000

Please contact us on 01928 580505 or chem@dgtrain.co.uk