Driver CPC for Lorry Drivers Takes Effect from 10th September 2009

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence for lorry drivers
comes into effect from 10th September.

Driver CPC is a qualification, which lorry drivers will need to have
with aims to:

improve road safety
recognise and accredit skills for professional lorry drivers
to encourage drivers to continually update their skills and knowledge
raise the status of bus, coach and lorry drivers and promote driving
as a career.

Bus and coach drivers are also required to have this qualification;
however their requirement came into force in September last year.

If you already hold a lorry driving licence on the start dates, you
will have 'acquired rights' for the next 5 years and will not need to
hold a CPC during that time.

If you wish to carry on driving after those 5 years, you will have to
undertake 'periodic training', which consist of 35 hours training
every 5 years in order to retain your Driver CPC.

However, new drivers who do not already hold a lorry driving licence
on the start date will be required to undertake an initial Driver CPC
test before being able to drive professionally. The initial Driver CPC
test will consist of a theory test and a practical test.

Again, in order to retain the Driver CPC, drivers will need to
complete 35 hours of 'periodic training'. If you fail to complete the
training and continue to drive professionally beyond the end date of
your CPC, you could face legal charges.

For more information view the DSA's Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence Booklet.