As we approach the busiest time of the year for lorry deliveries, the HGV driver shortage is showing no sign of easing.
The unavailability of qualified drivers, made worse by Brexit and Covid, is causing headaches for haulage operators, supply chains and shops across the UK.
While training new truckers in how to drive HGVs is not what JCS Transport does, providing ongoing training as part of the Driver CPC requirements is, as well as supporting the road transport sector through our expert advice and consultancy services.
We’re aware that training for truckers can seem complicated, so we’ve compiled a handy guide all about Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) which we hope you will find useful.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRIVER CPC – AN EXPERT GUIDE
WHAT IS DRIVER CPC?
Driver CPC is a qualification for professional drivers of lorries, buses and coaches. It was introduced across Europe in 2009, as a result of an EU Directive which required drivers to be continuously trained throughout their working lives.
Driver CPC aims to improve road safety and driving standards. Despite Brexit, the Driver CPC is still needed in the UK and the European Union, but not all drivers need it.
WHO DOES NOT NEED THE FULL DRIVER CPC?
You do not need Driver CPC if you are
- only driving as a hobby or drive passengers or goods for personal use (ie, not commercially and up to a certain size)
- driving is not your main role – e.g scaffolder, grounds worker, Reinstatement worker
- driving in some other situations, eg, a mechanic taking a vehicle for an inspection or MOT
If you are unsure whether you or your business are exempt from holding a Driver CPC certification then feel free to contact us here or call 0333 987 4657 and we can advise.
GETTING YOUR DRIVER CPC CARD
You’ll get your Driver CPC card after you’ve done the 35 hours of periodic training. If you fail to carry the card with you while driving professionally, you could be fined a £50 fixed penalty at the roadside.
The deadline to do your training is shown on your card. It’s up to you when you do it as long as it’s within the five year period. Your next deadline will be set for five years after the date you finish your training.
If you miss your deadline, you cannot drive professionally until you’ve finished your training. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you are found to be driving professionally without valid Driver CPC.
FINDING DRIVER CPC COURSES
Drivers must only be trained by JAUPT Approved Training Centres using approved training courses and should complete 35 hours of approved training in every period of five years.
There are a number of Driver CPC courses that can be taken as part of the training, covering subjects like driver welfare, customer care and security, traffic law, vulnerable road users, HGV safe loading and various others.
Driver CPC courses and training providers must be approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT). For the full list of courses, check the JAUPT website here.
JCS Transport is a JAUPT-approved provider of Driver CPC training. During Covid, our Driver CPC training was held online but now we are doing both remote and face-to-face training from our head office in Leatherhead, Surrey. Click here to book Driver CPC courses online.
We are also licensed to deliver training at your location if suitable facilities are available. The courses we run include FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving, FORS Professional LoCity Driving, driver welfare, customer care and security, traffic law, vulnerable road users and HGV safe loading.
The minimum length of a training course is seven hours. Where a course of seven hours is split into two parts, the second part must start within 24 hours of the first part ending. There are no exams or tests to do on a Driver CPC course. At the end, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance which belongs to you as the individual driver, not your employer.
When you attend a Driver CPC training course, don’t forget you need to have one of the following to confirm your ID:
- – a photocard driving licence
- – a digital tachograph card
- – a Driver CPC card
JCS Transport, or whichever JAUPT-approved training centre you choose, will upload your training on your Driver CPC training record where it will be held centrally by the DVLA.
PUT YOUR DRIVER CPC TRAINING IN TRUSTED HANDS
JCS Transport can help facilitate training for just one person or your entire team of people.
We’re a highly experienced, well-trusted team of specialists in road transport and can help find a course that’s right for you.
Our friendly staff are here to support and guide you every step of the way. Check out the Driver CPC section of our website here or call us free on 0333 987 4657.
