FAQs

What is the Driver CPC?

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is EU legislation introduced to improve the standards of professional HGV and LGV drivers across Europe.

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Who needs the Driver CPC?

The short answer is ‘most HGV drivers.’ If you want to earn money from driving, you need it. If you legally need the CPC and you don’t take it, you’re driving illegally. Driving without a licence can gain you 6 points on your licence and £1000 fine for both you and your employer.

The bit that is confusing is how the Driver CPC applies to you, and what bit of it you need to complete.

As the rules on Driver CPC is quite complicated, Paul is available and ready to answer your CPC questions, and advise you how CPC legislation affects your personal circumstances. However, as a general guide:

• If you’re new to professional HGV / LGV driving you must get the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Initial Qualification.
• When you qualify you will be issued with a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which you must keep with you when you are driving professionally.
• The Driver CPC Initial Qualification must be completed if you are under 21 years of age (whatever reason you are driving for).
• It must also be taken if you passed your car test after January 1997 and do not have a 7.5 tonne (Category C1) entitlement on your Driving Licence.
• If you passed your vocational licence before 10th September 2009 (C1, C1+E, C or C+E) and are over 21 you have “acquired rights” and do not need to take the Driver CPC Initial Qualification because of your experience. BUT you still need to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC periodic training every 5 years.
• Latest legislation changes at the DSA allows you to obtain your First Driver Qualification Card by taking the INITIAL TEST.This however includes completing both Module 2 case study exam and Module 4 Practical Demonstration Assessment. Unfortunately you can not proceed to Module 4 without passing Module 2. Both of these are pass or fail.

In effect, the legislation affects anyone who intends to drive a HGV or LGV vehicle for financial gain. But if you’re only driving for personal use (e.g. driving a horsebox or hiring a vehicle to move personal possessions) and are over 21 – the legislation does not affect you.

Most HGV / LGV drivers will need to take the Driver CPC Initial Qualification as a first step but ALL drivers need to comply with the Driver CPC periodic training requirements.

Protea Training Co Ltd offer a range of courses to help you gain or retain your CPC qualification. Periodic training is carried out either at our training centre in Wakefield or at a site of your choice. Module 2 and 4 can be completed using a local Driving school.

What is the Driver CPC?

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is EU legislation introduced to improve the standards of professional HGV and LGV drivers across Europe.

---

Who needs the Driver CPC?

The short answer is ‘most HGV drivers.’ If you want to earn money from driving, you need it. If you legally need the CPC and you don’t take it, you’re driving illegally. Driving without a licence can gain you 6 points on your licence and £1000 fine for both you and your employer.

The bit that is confusing is how the Driver CPC applies to you, and what bit of it you need to complete.

As the rules on Driver CPC is quite complicated, Paul is available and ready to answer your CPC questions, and advise you how CPC legislation affects your personal circumstances. However, as a general guide:

• If you’re new to professional HGV / LGV driving you must get the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Initial Qualification.
• When you qualify you will be issued with a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which you must keep with you when you are driving professionally.
• The Driver CPC Initial Qualification must be completed if you are under 21 years of age (whatever reason you are driving for).
• It must also be taken if you passed your car test after January 1997 and do not have a 7.5 tonne (Category C1) entitlement on your Driving Licence.
• If you passed your vocational licence before 10th September 2009 (C1, C1+E, C or C+E) and are over 21 you have “acquired rights” and do not need to take the Driver CPC Initial Qualification because of your experience. BUT you still need to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC periodic training every 5 years.
• Latest legislation changes at the DSA allows you to obtain your First Driver Qualification Card by taking the INITIAL TEST.This however includes completing both Module 2 case study exam and Module 4 Practical Demonstration Assessment. Unfortunately you can not proceed to Module 4 without passing Module 2. Both of these are pass or fail.

In effect, the legislation affects anyone who intends to drive a HGV or LGV vehicle for financial gain. But if you’re only driving for personal use (e.g. driving a horsebox or hiring a vehicle to move personal possessions) and are over 21 – the legislation does not affect you.

Most HGV / LGV drivers will need to take the Driver CPC Initial Qualification as a first step but ALL drivers need to comply with the Driver CPC periodic training requirements.

Protea Training Co Ltd offer a range of courses to help you gain or retain your CPC qualification. Periodic training is carried out either at our training centre in Wakefield or at a site of your choice. Module 2 and 4 can be completed using a local Driving school.