Driver CPC Frequently Asked Questions

What is Driver CPC?

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. It was introduced across Europe in 2008 for bus and coach drivers (D1 category and above) and in 2009 for lorry drivers and 3.5 ton+ vehicles (C1 category and above) , with the aim of improving road safety and maintaining high standards of driving.

You must have Driver CPC if you drive a lorry, bus or coach as the main part of your job. You must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to be permitted to continue driving a lorry, coach or bus professionally

Drivers can complete Driver CPC periodic training online, as well as in a classroom environment.

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What is a Driver CPC card?

Once you are fully qualified as a professional bus, coach and lorry driver (including Driver CPC Parts 1-4), you will be issued with a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card.   This card is often referred to as a ‘Driver Qualification Card’ or ‘DQC’.

Professional lorry, bus or coach drivers must carry this Driver Qualification Card at all times whilst driving a lorry, bus or coach.  Failure to produce a DQC card carries a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card.

You must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to be permitted to continue driving a lorry, coach or bus professionally.

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Can I drive if my driver CPC card has expired?

No you cannot professionally drive any lorry, coach or bus with an expired Driver CPC card.  If you miss your Driver CPC deadline, you cannot drive professionally until you’ve completed your mandatory 35 hours Driver CPC periodic training.

Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without valid Driver CPC.

Drivers who do not maintain their Driver CPC (for example, a driver that leaves the industries, but who want to start working as a professional driver again, must complete 35 hours of periodic training in order to regain their Driver CPC.

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Who is exempt from Driver CPC?

There are many exemptions from requiring Driver CPC when driving professionally within the UK. 
You do not need Driver CPC if you’re using the vehicle for:

• non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods
• carrying material or equipment you use for your job, as long as driving is less than 30% of your rolling monthly work
• driving for someone you work for, or your own agriculture, horticulture, forestry, farming or fisheries business, as long as driving is less than 30% of your rolling monthly work
• driving within 62 miles (100 kilometres) of your base. PLEASE NOTE: The vehicle cannot be carrying passengers or goods, and driving a lorry, bus or coach cannot be your main job
• driving to or from pre-booked appointments at official vehicle testing centres
• driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC
• maintaining public order - and the vehicle is being used or controlled by a local authority
• rescue missions or in states of emergency

You also do not need Driver CPC if the vehicle is:

• is being road tested for repair, maintenance or technical development purposes
• either new or rebuilt and has not yet been taxed
• being used or controlled by the armed forces, police, fire and rescue service, emergency ambulance service, prison service or people running a prison or young offender institution
• limited to a top speed of 28mph

Further detail on Driver CPC exemptions is available on the Gov.uk website, including practical examples on when the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) thinks Driver CPC is needed. TTC recommends that you seek legal advice if you are not sure if you need Driver CPC.

Did you Know?  Only a court can make a decision on Driver CPC rules, not the DVSA.

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Does Brexit affect Driver CPC requirements?

You need Driver CPC to drive professionally in the UK. The UK recognises Driver CPC qualifications from EU countries.
To work for an EU company, you will need an EU Driver CPC qualification.
Further detail on requirements for driving in the EU is available on the Gov.uk website.

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Who is responsible for meeting Driver CPC requirements?

The driver is responsible for ensuring that they meet all Driver CPC Periodic Training requirements, which also includes meeting any costs.

Additionally, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that their company and driver fleet comply with current legislation.

This essentially means that both the individual driver and that driver’s employer are responsible for and accountable to any consequence for non-compliance.

TTC recommends that if at any point you are unsure of your responsibilities or have concerns over Driver CPC compliance, it is always best to discuss your concerns with whoever maintains your organisation’s Operator Licence.

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What CPC periodic training courses do I need?

There are no hard and fast rules for which Driver CPC courses a driver should complete, with hundreds of CPC training providers offering a broad range of different CPC topics. 

Usually, the choice of which CPC course topics are completed within the 5-year period depends on the driver’s preference, the requirements of your employer, or CPC topics that meet specific skills requirements, such as the secure loading and handling of hazardous goods.

Some Driver CPC courses are essential in meeting your employer’s professional accreditations.  For example, any organisation with the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Silver level accreditation requires every driver to complete the 7-hour Safe Urban Driving (SUD) course, gaining a dual accreditation.

 

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Can I repeat the same CPC course?

In most situations, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requires a driver’s 35 hours of Driver CPC to comprise of different course topics.  A driver is only permitted to take the same CPC course more than once in each 5-year period if they have a valid reason to repeat it, for example, maintaining a dangerous goods qualification.

If you do not have a good reason, the DVSA may cancel the hours gained from duplicating the course.  This may jeopardise the driver’s Driver Qualification Card (DQC) if the rejected hours takes the driver’s total back under 35 hours within the 5-year period.

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How many Driver CPC hours have I done?

The UK Government’s Gov.uk website allows drivers to check how many Driver CPC hours have been completed within their current 5-year CPC training period.  

For Driver CPC completed in Northern Ireland, the nidirect.gov.uk website can be used to view your completed Driver CPC hours.

TTC’s Continuum platform, and online Driver Risk Management solution can also be used by drivers to easily view their completed Driver CPC hours, as well as provide a central facility for Fleet Managers to monitor the status of each driver’s completed CPC hours, as well as their 5-year DQC deadline date.

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Can I do Driver CPC training online?

Yes, we offer a choice of both online and classroom Driver CPC periodic training courses.  TTC’s online Driver CPC courses are easy to join and include interactive group activities, all facilitated through Zoom.  Completing Driver CPC training online is a convenient way for drivers to complete their periodic training.

You cannot however complete an online CPC course on a smartphone.  You will be required to use a larger tablet device, laptop or desktop PC to complete your course.  We also do not permit screen sharing, where more than one driver joins the course from a single device.

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