Driver CPC Deadline of 9 September 2024
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence ‘Driver CPC’ is a professional qualification for drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles and certain Passenger Carrying Vehicles. It is a legal requirement to hold a valid Driver CPC to drive and relevant vehicle on the UK roads.
The Driver CPC requirement became mandatory in 2009 and once the initial qualification is obtained, there must be a cycle of 35 hours recognised training every 5 years for the qualification to remain valid.
Drivers and Operators are being reminded that for many people, the CPC expiry will be 9th September 2024. It is predicted that there will be a rush for last minute training and a concern that a number of drivers who miss the renewal date may remain on the road without authority to drive.
Operators should be ensuring that licence expiry dates are monitored regularly, with driving licence entitlement checks at least every 3 months. A CPC Training Plan should be implemented, with most operators arranging at least one relevant module being undertaken each year.
If the deadline has been missed, but some of the 35 hours have been completed all is not lost. As long as the previous modules were completed within the last 5 years it is possible to just make up the missing hours to renew the qualification.
The government announces some initial changes to the Driver CPC Scheme and an ongoing consultation, looking at renewals, methods of training delivery and requirements for returning to the industry. Our previous blog can be found here.
The risks of driving a relevant vehicle without the Driver CPC could result in prosecution or call to the Traffic Commissioner. The lack of CPC could also invalidate insurance.
For further advice regarding the Driver CPC or any issues with DVSA and the Traffic Commissioner, call our Team today.
