The Essential Guide To The Driver CPC Training Course

If you are a coach, bus or lorry driver or have ambitions about qualifying as one, you will likely already have heard of Driver CPC training and know a little about it. Whether you have or haven’t heard of it before, it is still an important part of the training that you should learn as much as you can about. This is why we created this post – our essential guide to the Driver CPC training course. On this page, you will learn all about this training, what it entails and who it is for.

What Is Driver CPC Training?

CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence and is a form of qualification that can be used in a variety of different industries. Driver CPC relates to the haulage and transport industries and therefore is known more specifically as Driver CPC training. As well as highlighting what it revolves around it helps to distinguish it from others and avoid any confusion.

It is now a legal requirement for all new drivers looking to obtain their first ever Category C or D driving license attends the full training programme that features basic CPC training. Alongside the CPC training, there is also the practical skills lessons and the theory test that enable you to pass the two final exams. This process is known collectively as the initial CPC training certification.

You should understand fully that you are not able to qualify for your commercial driving license unless you have completed the initial CPC training successfully.

What Is Periodic CPC Training?

Another phrase you will hear used a lot in reference to CPC training is ‘periodic training‘. When you successfully pass and qualify your Driver CPC training, you receive a CPC card that indicates you have met the legal requirements. This card is valid for five years. In order to renew your CPC card after the five years are up, you need to participate in periodic training, also known as remedial training. The goal of this training is to show that you have the level of competency necessary and have developed professionally sufficiently enough to qualify for renewal of your CPC licence.

Who Needs CPC Training and Qualification

If you are wondering if you need the Driver CPC training or not, the simple answer is if you drive a coach, bus or lorry professionally or have plans to do so, then you definitely do. Professional is the operative word.

Therefore, if you drive any of the below as a primary source of income, you need CPC certification:

  • Coaches, both continental and regional
  • Buses, both local and regional
  • Heavy-duty construction equipment and vehicles
  • Bin lorries
  • Tipper trucks
  • Articulated trucks

Additionally, if your company uses PCV or HGV vehicles, you should also have CPC certification. although there are slight differences in the training for operators compared to drivers, it is still a necessity.

Who Doesn’t Need CPC Training?

There are some exceptions to the rules regarding who requires CPC certification. We mentioned before that professional was an important factor and that’s because the two groups of individuals who are exceptions to the rules of Driver CPC regulations and do not need to obtain a CPC license includes:

Professional drivers who operate qualifying vehicles within the civil defence organisations, fire services, police agencies armed forces or any other organisation whose role is controlling public order. Although this is not completely uniform, so it is recommended that you find out from a legal representative whether you qualify as an exception or not.

There is a larger list of non-professional drivers who are considered exceptions.

Therefore if any of the above is applicable to your situation, you do not need CPC Training:

  • Driving a minibus that seats less than 19 people, which does not require a C1+E licence and which you are not paid for doing
  • Driving a vehicle to transport essential equipment or material for your job if driving is not a primary aspect of it
  • Driving a vehicle for transportation of goods or passengers for non-commercial, personal reasons
  • Driving a vehicle to test a vehicle being repaired or a newly developed vehicle
  • Driving a vehicle for state of emergency rescues
  • Driving a vehicle to be tested or learning
  • Driving a vehicle carrying no goods or passengers 50 Km away from your base.

Hopefully, our guide has given you a comprehensive and insightful introduction to Driver CPC training and why it may be necessary for you to obtain this important qualification.