Many professional bus and coach drivers have just one year left to complete the 35 hours of periodic training needed for their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).
September 10 marks four years since the introduction of the Driver CPC for bus and coach drivers, and three years since its introduction for lorry drivers. Under Driver CPC, professional bus, coach and lorry drivers have to complete 35 hours of accredited training every five years.
Drivers who acquired their vocational licence before the introduction of Driver CPC have five years from its introduction to complete the required 35 hours. This means the deadline for bus and coach drivers is September 2013, and for lorry drivers it is September 2014.
Since Driver CPC was introduced over half a million professional drivers across the goods and passenger sectors have undertaken accredited periodic training, further developing their knowledge and skills and helping to ensure they remain safe and responsible drivers throughout their careers.
DSA chief executive, Rosemary Thew, said:
“I would urge all drivers who haven’t yet started periodic training not to leave it until the last minute. If the deadline arrives and you drive professionally without a Driver CPC, you’ll be committing an offence.
“If you’re an operator and you cause or allow your drivers to drive without Driver CPC – you’ll also be committing an offence.
“The idea of drivers completing regular training throughout their working life is not new – many have been doing it for years through operators who recognise the benefits of drivers developing their skills; helping to boost productivity as well as improve road safety.”
There are now over 3000 approved training courses available to drivers, covering a whole range of topics from fuel efficiency to tachograph and drivers’ hour’s regulations or defensive driving. All courses and providers have to meet strict criteria and are subject to ongoing quality assurance to ensure they meet the required standard.
Driver CPC ~ is for LGV and PCV drivers who drive professionally throughout the UK. It has been developed as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59, which is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers throughout their working life. There are two parts to the legislation:
- The Initial Qualification that must be achieved by new LGV and PCV drivers along with their vocational licence to enable them to use their licence professionally.
- Periodic Training, which involves all professional drivers undertaking 35 hours of training every 5 years.
Approved Courses
Theory of Defensive Driving & Accident Reporting Procedure (7 Hours)
This DCPC Training Course focuses on the key risks drivers must be aware of, with the objective of minimising risks whilst using company vehicles. Drivers must also be fully aware of the procedures for reporting accidents encountered during their work
Drivers Hours, Working Time Directive & Tachographs (7 Hours)
This course is designed to give drivers a greater understanding of their responsibilities and legal duties in relation to driver's hours, rest periods and use of tachographs.
Daily Vehicle Checks & Basic Load Security (7 Hours)
This course is designed to give drivers a greater understanding of their responsibilities under The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986.
Tail Lift Safety & Associated Handling Aids (7 Hours)
On completion of this training course drivers will have a greater understanding of the safe use of handling and loading aids such as tail lifts, pump trucks and sack trucks
Emergency First Aid For Adults At Work (7 Hours)
The course is designed to equip candidates with the knowledge to administer Emergency First Aid procedures.
For full course content and Further Information, please contact us on 01453 826 781
