DVSA Issues Warning to Drivers over Driver CPC Training

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has reminded both lorry drivers and their employers that they must keep up to date with their Driver CPC training or face a hefty fine or even lose their ability to earn a living. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) joined the DVSA in issuing the warning on 12 March. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, or Driver CPC, became a mandatory requirement in 2008/9 for anyone who drives a coach, bus or lorry for a living. Since 2009, new lorry drivers entering the industry have had to fully complete their Driver CPC initial qualification training before taking up their first driving job. They then need to complete a further 35 hours of Driver CPC qualifying training every five years in order to be able to keep their licence up to date and continue driving.

Those lorry drivers who already had their licences by 2009 were given an exemption from the first Driver CPC initial qualification training. This was called 'acquired rights' and allowed the experience of such drivers to be taken into account. These drivers were given five years to complete the first tranche of 35 hours' worth of Driver CPC training, but that deadline is now fast approaching and the training must be completed by 10 September this year. The DVSA is sure that the 'vast majority' of lorry drivers have at least started their training, but they released no figures to support this assertion. Nor is there any data to indicate how much training is still to be completed by those drivers who have started their Driver CPC training. The DVSA reminded drivers of the 10 September deadline and urged all drivers to ensure that their training is completed by the deadline.

Alastair Peoples, DVSA chief executive, said that roads in the UK are some of the safest in the world and the DVSA intends to play its part in keeping them that way. Part of this effort includes ensuring that all lorry drivers keep their skills updated. Peoples said that the DVSA had been encouraged by the number of drivers who are already involved in periodic training but went on to remind all professional drivers of the deadlines and their responsibilities in meeting them. The DVSA'a enforcement officers now routinely check professional drivers' Driver CPC status, and after the 10 September deadline they will be able to check up on 'acquired rights' drivers to find out if they have completed the necessary training. If they haven't, those drivers will be driving illegally and Peoples reminded them that ignorance of the law was no excuse for drivers or operators.

The warning was reinforced by the OTC. They urged all those involved in the running of operator firms to recognise how important Driver CPC training is and to be aware of the deadlines their drivers face. Joan Aitken of the OTC reminded drivers that the Driver CPC training was not an 'optional extra' and said that, with the deadline approaching, this is a crucial time for the industry. Both drivers and operators could face fines of up to £1,000 and the case will then be referred to the OTC, who could impose further penalties, including the suspension of licences.