Driver CPC, no last minute reprieve for passenger vehicle operators, says FTA

With six months to go until the deadline for completion of Driver CPC training for passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs), the Freight Transport Association has warned that there will be no last minute reprieve, and that drivers must receive the required training as a matter of urgency – and no later than 10 September 2013.

James Firth, FTA’s Head of Road Freight and Enforcement Policy said:

"This is a reality which is not going to go away. If the required 35 hours of Driver CPC training is not completed before the 10 September deadline, Traffic Commissioners will take action against vocational drivers and the operators who allow them to drive illegally.

"If there is a last minute rush to book courses, it is the quality training which will be squeezed first, so we advise companies to book now in order to make sure their drivers receive the best possible training."

To help operators choose the best courses, FTA has issued its top tips on what to look out for when choosing a training provider. Apart from ensuring that the course provider and the course content are approved by the Joint Approval Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT), FTA recommends that companies should ask seven additional questions to ensure they and their drivers get the most from a Driver CPC course:

Is there a post-course test?
Are trainers qualified to teach?
Does the provider know the industry?
Is the provider experienced and credible?
Is the syllabus relevant and useful?
Does the course format hold drivers’ attention?
Will they get the admin right?

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) applies to all new and existing drivers who wish to drive professionally and who require a large goods vehicle (LGV) or passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) licence in order to do their job. All drivers of passenger carrying vehicles, holding a category D, D1, D+E or D1+E licence at 10 September 2008, need to complete 35 hours of periodic training before 10 September 2013 unless exempt. After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five-year period in order to retain their Driver CPC. Further information is available on the FTA website at http://www.fta.co.uk/policy_and_compliance/road/drivers/driver_cpc.html

FTA offers a full list of passenger Driver CPC training courses, and still have some block bookings available for those who need to complete a lot of training in a short amount of time – but companies will need to act quickly. Information is available on the FTA website at www.fta.co.uk/passengercpc, by emailing training@fta.co.uk or calling 08717 11 22 22*.