Book Initial Driver CPC Training
Initial driver CPC Mod.2 is a case study theory test, Mod.4 is a practical demonstration test. Click below to book!
Driver CPC Training?
We offer training for both Initial Driver CPC Training (Modules 2 & 4), and also Periodic Driver CPC Training! Flexible training options to meet your needs.
Rules and Regulations in Regard to Driver CPC Training
Below you will find a list of the most common questions and answers in regard to Driver CPC training. If you do not find your question in our list of most common questions, feel free to contact us direct and we will do our best to help.
Do I need Driver CPC?
Anyone who needs their LGV licence to drive professionally generally carrying other people’s goods for hire and reward, will need to complete driver CPC training. There are a few specific exceptions to this, for example someone who carries their own tools in the course of their work e.g. scaffold drivers are exempt, the full exemption list can be seen by following the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-exemptions-examples
There are two routes to obtaining a certificate of professional competency or DQC (Driver Qualification Card), either by passing modules 2 and 4 of the Initial Driver CPC or by attending 35 hours’ worth of Periodic training usually carried out as 5 x 7 hour days.
Grandfather rights?
If you passed your category B car test before January 01st 1997 and/or your LGV test prior to 10th September 2009 (08 for PCV) this means that you have acquired rights, (grandfather rights). Drivers with grandfather rights were previously not eligible for Initial Driver CPC, and therefore had to undergo the 35 hours of Periodic Training to acquire their DQC. However, since April 2015 the DVSA have changed their stance on this, and now allow those drivers with grandfather rights returning to the industry to obtain their first DQC via Initial Driver CPC training and testing. However, such drivers must not have already began to acquire any periodic training hours, in order to be eligible for initial driver CPC.
Drivers who have grandfather rights and who opt to acquire their first DQC via initial driver CPC training/testing will need to request authorization from the DVSA, a formal process taking up to 10 days. Upon receiving authorization such drivers opting for initial CPC will be able to book their module 2 case study theory test by phone.
Can I acquire Mod.4 before Mod.3?
Module 4 is to do with acquiring your Driver Qualification Card, and Mod.3 is your practical LGV/PCV test to acquire your driving licence. The answer is yes, however, the DVSA will not issue you with your Driver Qualification Card until you have passed Mod.3 i.e. your LGV/PCV driving test.
This assumes that you have provisional entitlement for LGV/PCV and have passed module 2.
I have a non-British driving licence
If you have a non-British driving licence and wish to attend your training in the UK, your training hours can still be logged.
In order to upload your training hours as a non-UK licence holder we will need to note your full name, date of birth and the member state that issued your driving licence. This is to help establish your identity. As a non-UK licence holder you will be required to complete and return a form called DQC 1 form to DVSA, in order to verify your entitlement and trigger the issue of your DQC.
As a non-UK licence holder you will not have access to the online driver enquiry service. Therefore, should you wish to check how many periodic training hours you have completed you will need to contact DVSA at CPCRE@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
Why has my DQC not yet arrived?
If you have completed your 5 days of periodic training and your card hasn’t arrived by post, here are some possible reasons as to why.
Apart from the obvious of not changing your address on your driving licence and your DQC going to your old address, it may be that some of your training may be outside of the 5 year window. In other words, you must complete 35 hours of training in a 5 year period. For example, if you did your first 7 hour day on July 20th 2010, and your final 4 days in August 2016, you will have lost the first 7 hour day completed in 2010 because it was more than 5 years ago.
All of your periods CPC training must be completed within a 5 year period of time, after which this will trigger the production of your new DQC.
Legal requirements
Upon completion of either the initial driver CPC test or the 35 hours of periodic training, this will trigger the production of a DQC (Driver Qualification Card) which will be valid for 5 years.
At this point the candidate is legally permitted to drive professionally.
After receiving the first card and before the expiry of the first card (5 year validity) candidates will need to complete 35 hours of periodic CPC training (i.e. 1 day per year), if they wish to continue driving after the expiry of their first Driver Qualification Card. The second course of 35 hours of training which will then trigger the production of a subsequent DQC card, valid for a further 5 years.
If as a driver you no longer wish to drive professionally you will not need to complete any more periodic driver CPC training. This will not invalidate your LGV driving licence as CPC is not a requirement for licence acquisition, only for vocational purposes.
You will not be permitted to complete more than 5 days of training in a 5 year period, and any training in addition to 5 days will not be logged against your driving licence if completed within the same 5 year period.
Can I opt for Initial CPC?
If you are returning to the transport industry, and need to acquire your DQC (Driver Qualification Card) you may opt to complete modules 2 & 4 only if you have not completed any Periodic Driver CPC training.
Completing modules 2 & 4 of the Initial Driver CPC will result in the same qualification, i.e. a Driver Qualification Card. However, rather than being eligible to drive category C and D vehicles as would be the case after completing 35 hours of Periodic training, you would be restricted to either lorries or buses/coaches. Only upon completing either modules 2 & 4 for PCV or LGV will you be eligible to drive those respective vehicles, unless you complete your 35 hours of Periodic training. This of course assumes you have acquired either your category C or D licence.
Will I lose my licence without CPC?
No. Driver CPC is not about competency to drive, but rather about professional competency to work within the transport industry.
This of course includes competency to drive, but it is not the standard by which driving licences are issued. So long as you have passed your LGV or PCV driving test, you have therefore demonstrated competency to drive large vehicles. You will then be able to drive lorries and buses for private use on the public highway, or in some capacity which has an exemption from the need for Driver CPC, but not for commercial gain purposes that come under the Driver CPC legislation.
1 day a year or 35 hours?
You can complete your driver CPC training as a complete 1 week block, or 1 day a year over 5 years. You can even complete your 7 hour training sessions across two consecutive days. However, the start time of your half day of training on the second day, must not begin more than 24 hours later than the finish time time of your half day of training on the first day.
we recommend that you complete one day of training per year, not only does this reduce the pressure of cramming your training close to the expiry of your DQC, but also it ensures a continual and progressive approach more in line with the ethos of any continued professional development training.
In the UK professional drivers have the flexibility to spread their training, however this is not the same across all the EU member states.
How do I choose which course?
There are thousands of courses that you could potentially book in order to complete your periodic driver CPC, and hundreds of training providers offering these courses.
When booking your course, it is essential that the course you book is JAUPT accredited. Without this, you will not be registered as having completed any periodic training. JAUPT stands for the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training.
Secondly, rather than approaching the training as an obligation that needs to be ticked off your priority list as quickly as possible, see your periodic training as an opportunity to learn and enhance your knowledge and skills. An opportunity to address any burning questions you may have, address any operational short comings in your organisation, or simply learn new skills that may be relevant for your future career.