As a professional driver in the UK, staying up-to-date with the latest regulations is crucial for your career. Today, we’re discussing significant changes coming to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) periodic training. These changes, expected to be implemented later in 2024 (subject to Parliamentary approval), are designed to offer more flexibility while maintaining high standards of road safety.
Key Changes at a Glance
- Introduction of two qualification pathways:
- International Driver CPC
- National Driver CPC
- More flexible training options for UK-only drivers
- New rules for returning to professional driving after qualification expiry
Let’s dive into the details of these changes and what they mean for you.
Two Paths to Stay Qualified
From later in 2024, you’ll have two options to maintain your Driver CPC qualification:
International Driver CPC
This option is similar to the current system and allows you to drive professionally in both the UK and the EU. The requirements remain:
- 35 hours of training every 5 years
- Courses must be at least 7 hours long
- Split courses must be completed on consecutive days
- E-learning is limited to 2 hours within a trainer-led course
- Maximum of 12 hours of e-learning towards the 35-hour total
National Driver CPC
This new option offers more flexibility for drivers who only operate within the UK:
- Courses can be as short as 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Split courses don’t need to be on consecutive days
- E-learning-only courses are available
- Up to 12 hours of e-learning can count towards the 35-hour requirement
You can choose to complete either 35 hours of National Driver CPC training or a combination of National and International training to reach the 35-hour total over 5 years.
Getting Qualified
New drivers passing their qualifying tests will automatically receive the International Driver CPC, valid for the first 5 years. This allows driving in both the UK and the EU. Your choice of periodic training afterward will determine whether you maintain the International or switch to the National Driver CPC.
Returning to Professional Driving
From 2025, the process for returning to professional driving after your Driver CPC has expired will become more flexible:
If Your Driver CPC Expired Up to 2 Years Ago
You’ll have three options:
- Complete 35 hours of International Driver CPC training to drive in the UK and EU.
- Take a new 7-hour ‘Return to Driving’ module to start driving in the UK immediately, then complete 28 hours of International Driver CPC training within 12 months to drive in the EU.
- Take the 7-hour ‘Return to Driving’ module to start driving in the UK immediately, then complete 28 hours of National or International Driver CPC training within 12 months for UK-only driving.
If Your Driver CPC Expired More Than 2 Years Ago
The requirements remain unchanged: complete 35 hours of training (either International or National/combination) to requalify.
Potential Future Changes
The government is considering introducing a National Driver CPC periodic theory test. This could offer alternatives such as:
- Passing the test every 5 years instead of completing 35 hours of training
- Using the test to requalify after expiration
The specifics of this test, including its length, format, and content, are still under consideration.
These upcoming changes aim to provide greater flexibility for professional drivers while maintaining high standards of road safety and competence. Whether you drive internationally or solely within the UK, it’s essential to stay informed about these changes and how they might affect your qualifications.
Remember, if your training deadline is before these changes are introduced, you must comply with the current requirements to stay qualified. Driving professionally without a valid Driver CPC can result in fines up to £1,000, so make sure you’re always up to date!
We’ll keep you posted on any further developments. In the meantime, if you have any questions about these changes or need assistance with your Driver CPC training, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Stay safe on the roads!