URTU

What is the Driver CPC?

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a new qualification for professional lorry drivers that has been given the Government go-ahead. In future, just holding a vocational driving licence will not be sufficient for someone who wishes to drive lorries for a living.

When does it come into force?

It comes into force across all European Union member states on the 10 September 2009.

Why is it being introduced?

It is hoped that improving the knowledge and skills of lorry drivers will:

Improve Road Safety and reduce road casualties

Help Professional Drivers by improving and maintaining skill levels and increasing career opportunities

Help the Industry by improving staff performance, recruitment and retention. More economical vehicle usage and improvements in vehicle wear will also reduce expenditure as well as help the environment.

What does the Driver CPC involve?

There will be an initial qualification for new drivers and periodic training for new and existing drivers:

New Drivers:

Initial qualification for new drivers will involve four hours of theory testing and two hours of practical testing. This is considerably more than 1.5 hour theory test and 1.5 hour practical test currently required.

The Diver Standards Agency (DSA) are introducing modular tests so that drivers can obtain their driving licence and CPC at the same time.

The Driver CPC syllabus covers the additional knowledge a professional driver needs to have and it is not just about practical driving skills.

The theory test will be in two parts; licence acquisition (multiple choice questions and hazard perception test) and case studies.

In the case studies, the DSA envisages that the questions would be of the format where a situation or scenario was defined for the driver, and they are then asked questions relating to this situation.

Test presentation will be screen-based, like the theory test for driving licence acquisition, and will be delivered from existing theory test centres.

Existing Drivers:

If you hold a full licence on 10 September 2009 you will have to complete your first course of periodic training within five years (ie by 2014) to maintain your Driver CPC.

There are three main topics in the periodic training:

1. ADVANCED TRAINING IN RATIONAL DRIVING BASED ON SAFETY REGULATIONS

2. APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS

3. HEALTH, ROAD AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY, SERVICE, LOGISTICS

The content of the training is designed to deal with subject matter that is relevant to you in your day to day work.

There is not a prescribed type of training and it can be classroom based or ‘in-vehicle’. It can be whatever suits the needs of the you at that time, but it has to be approved training, by an approved centre and be overseen by an instructor.

Periodic training must involve direct interaction or contact time with a trainer. Although ‘e-learning’ could be a useful training tool when overseen by a trainer, distance learning is not acceptable as training.

When do I take the training?

You have flexibility as to how you take the 35 hours training as long as it is completed within five year period. For example, you may complete a two day course in the first year, and a three day course in the fifth year. Theoretically it is possible for you to do the same training every year however, employers will be seeking value for money and repetition of the same courses will not be beneficial.

Are there any tests to take for Periodic Training?

No, there are no tests as Periodic Training is not a pass or fail course. It is recorded as hours of attendance.

Who is organising the periodic training?

This will be managed primarily through the auditing process of the Joint Approval Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) together with feedback from employers and employees. The JAUPT quality assurance process will include the review of course evaluation forms.

JAUPT will monitor good practice through the question and answer and approval process. Additionally, employers will be expecting to see benefits from the training and will drive good practice by choosing providers who give good value training.

Does course attendance for Periodic Training count as work?

The Working Time Directive states that if you are paid by your employer whilst attending training, then the hours would count as working time. Therefore, if you are being paid whilst attending Periodic Training it would be counted as work.

Who will be responsible for creating courses for periodic training?

It will be the responsibility of the training providers to deliver courses that comply with the regulations and meet employers ’ needs. Employers would be encouraged to discuss the training needs with the training providers to ensure that courses are tailored to meet their requirements.

Will there be a limit imposed on the number of providers approved to deliver the periodic training?

No. There will be a free market and those providers who are able to meet the quality assurance standards will be able to offer training.

If I already hold an initial CPC for one LGV category will I need another CPC to drive another LGV Category?

No. (This will not affect the requirement to pass the relevant driving licence acquisition test for the additional category.)

How will Periodic Training course attendance be recorded?

There will be a central database that will be updated by all of the approved training centres.

How will Driver CPC status be evidenced?

You will have a separate Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which will have to be carried at all times when driving professionally.

I use both an LGV and PCV licence professionally, do they need to do two lots of 35 hrs periodic training every five years?

No. The Directive states that if you hold an LGV and PCV vocational licence then you need only complete 35 hours course attendance in a five year period.

What about foreign drivers?

The Driver CPC applies across all EU Member States and all of those drivers will be required to qualify and hold a Driver CPC in exactly the same way as you.

Will there be a Young LGV Driver’s Scheme after the CPC has been implemented?

The Driver CPC supersedes the Young LGV drivers’ scheme. It reduces the standard minimum age for professional LGV drivers to 18 years.

Will it be an offence for someone to drive without a Driver CPC when they should have one?

Yes there will be penalties if you drive without a valid Driver CPC. There will also be penalties for Operators who cause or permit you to drive without a Driver CPC.

How will having a Driver CPC be enforced on the road?

In the same way as holding an appropriate driving licence, particularly the police, VOSA, and DVLA. Also, any EU enforcement body can ask a driver for proof that their CPC status is current while they are driving in other member states, and issue a penalty if a driver is in breach of the Directive.

How much will the Driver CPC cost?

The proposed fee is up to £50, which the URTU is demanding the Government to reconsider.

When do I get issued with my Driver qualification card?

When you have completed their 35 hours periodic training.







NEWS

		NEWS

		04.12.07 The Driver CPC - Your Questions and Answers What is the Driver CPC? The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a new qualification for professional lorry drivers that has been given the Government go-ahead. In future, just holding a vocational driving licence will not be sufficient for someone who wishes to drive lorries for a living. When does it come into force? It comes into force across all European Union member states on the 10 September 2009. Why is it being introduced? It is hoped that improving the knowledge and skills of lorry drivers will: Improve Road Safety and reduce road casualties Help Professional Drivers by improving and maintaining skill levels and increasing career opportunities Help the Industry by improving staff performance, recruitment and retention. More economical vehicle usage and improvements in vehicle wear will also reduce expenditure as well as help the environment. What does the Driver CPC involve? There will be an initial qualification for new drivers and periodic training for new and existing drivers: New Drivers: Initial qualification for new drivers will involve four hours of theory testing and two hours of practical testing. This is considerably more than 1.5 hour theory test and 1.5 hour practical test currently required. The Diver Standards Agency (DSA) are introducing modular tests so that drivers can obtain their driving licence and CPC at the same time. The Driver CPC syllabus covers the additional knowledge a professional driver needs to have and it is not just about practical driving skills. The theory test will be in two parts; licence acquisition (multiple choice questions and hazard perception test) and case studies. In the case studies, the DSA envisages that the questions would be of the format where a situation or scenario was defined for the driver, and they are then asked questions relating to this situation. Test presentation will be screen-based, like the theory test for driving licence acquisition, and will be delivered from existing theory test centres. Existing Drivers: If you hold a full licence on 10 September 2009 you will have to complete your first course of periodic training within five years (ie by 2014) to maintain your Driver CPC. There are three main topics in the periodic training: 1. ADVANCED TRAINING IN RATIONAL DRIVING BASED ON SAFETY REGULATIONS 2. APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS 3. HEALTH, ROAD AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY, SERVICE, LOGISTICS The content of the training is designed to deal with subject matter that is relevant to you in your day to day work. There is not a prescribed type of training and it can be classroom based or ‘in-vehicle’. It can be whatever suits the needs of the you at that time, but it has to be approved training, by an approved centre and be overseen by an instructor. Periodic training must involve direct interaction or contact time with a trainer. Although ‘e-learning’ could be a useful training tool when overseen by a trainer, distance learning is not acceptable as training. When do I take the training? You have flexibility as to how you take the 35 hours training as long as it is completed within five year period. For example, you may complete a two day course in the first year, and a three day course in the fifth year. Theoretically it is possible for you to do the same training every year however, employers will be seeking value for money and repetition of the same courses will not be beneficial. Are there any tests to take for Periodic Training? No, there are no tests as Periodic Training is not a pass or fail course. It is recorded as hours of attendance. Who is organising the periodic training? This will be managed primarily through the auditing process of the Joint Approval Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) together with feedback from employers and employees. The JAUPT quality assurance process will include the review of course evaluation forms. JAUPT will monitor good practice through the question and answer and approval process. Additionally, employers will be expecting to see benefits from the training and will drive good practice by choosing providers who give good value training. Does course attendance for Periodic Training count as work? The Working Time Directive states that if you are paid by your employer whilst attending training, then the hours would count as working time. Therefore, if you are being paid whilst attending Periodic Training it would be counted as work. Who will be responsible for creating courses for periodic training? It will be the responsibility of the training providers to deliver courses that comply with the regulations and meet employers ’ needs. Employers would be encouraged to discuss the training needs with the training providers to ensure that courses are tailored to meet their requirements. Will there be a limit imposed on the number of providers approved to deliver the periodic training? No. There will be a free market and those providers who are able to meet the quality assurance standards will be able to offer training. If I already hold an initial CPC for one LGV category will I need another CPC to drive another LGV Category? No. (This will not affect the requirement to pass the relevant driving licence acquisition test for the additional category.) How will Periodic Training course attendance be recorded? There will be a central database that will be updated by all of the approved training centres. How will Driver CPC status be evidenced? You will have a separate Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which will have to be carried at all times when driving professionally. I use both an LGV and PCV licence professionally, do they need to do two lots of 35 hrs periodic training every five years? No. The Directive states that if you hold an LGV and PCV vocational licence then you need only complete 35 hours course attendance in a five year period. What about foreign drivers? The Driver CPC applies across all EU Member States and all of those drivers will be required to qualify and hold a Driver CPC in exactly the same way as you. Will there be a Young LGV Driver’s Scheme after the CPC has been implemented? The Driver CPC supersedes the Young LGV drivers’ scheme. It reduces the standard minimum age for professional LGV drivers to 18 years. Will it be an offence for someone to drive without a Driver CPC when they should have one? Yes there will be penalties if you drive without a valid Driver CPC. There will also be penalties for Operators who cause or permit you to drive without a Driver CPC. How will having a Driver CPC be enforced on the road? In the same way as holding an appropriate driving licence, particularly the police, VOSA, and DVLA. Also, any EU enforcement body can ask a driver for proof that their CPC status is current while they are driving in other member states, and issue a penalty if a driver is in breach of the Directive. How much will the Driver CPC cost? The proposed fee is up to £50, which the URTU is demanding the Government to reconsider. When do I get issued with my Driver qualification card? When you have completed their 35 hours periodic training.