Driver CPC Training with PETM LTD
What is Driver CPC?
Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is a professional qualification required for those driving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses, or coaches. This ensures drivers maintain high safety and competency standards across the transport industry.
Most drivers who wish to use their LGV or PCV vocational driving licence professionally are required by law to hold a valid Driver CPC qualification. Both drivers and the operators they work for are at risk of fines and other penalties for not holding the CPC qualification when driving commercial vehicles.
Recent Changes to Driver CPC
In 2023, the UK government introduced changes to make Driver CPC more flexible for those driving only within the UK. These changes include new ways to stay qualified and options for returning to professional driving, effective from:
- 3 December 2024 for staying qualified.
- 1 February 2025 for returning to professional driving.
Staying Qualified
You can now choose between:
- International Driver CPC – Required for driving in the UK and EU.
- Complete 35 hours of training every 5 years.
- Courses must be at least 7 hours long.
- National Driver CPC – Flexible training for UK-only driving.
- Complete 35 hours of training every 5 years, with shorter courses allowed (minimum 3 hours 30 minutes).
- Split courses do not require consecutive days.
Summary of Options:
- Option 1: 35 hours of International Driver CPC training for driving in the UK and EU. – we urge you to choose this as your first option as this will give you the flexibility to work in the UK and EU
- Option 2: 35 hours of National Driver CPC training (or a combination) for driving in the UK. – with this option, if you ever need to drive in the EU you will need to complete option 1 which may lead to extra training required for you based on what is already completed.
Getting Qualified for the First Time.
When you pass the Initial Driver CPC tests, you automatically receive an International Driver CPC qualification valid for 5 years. After that, the type of periodic training you complete will determine whether you hold an International or National Driver CPC.
Returning to Professional Driving
Starting 1 February 2025, the process for returning to driving after your Driver CPC has expired will depend on how long it has been expired:
If Expired for Up to 2 Years:
You’ll have four options to regain your qualification:
- Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training to drive in the UK and EU.
- Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC training for UK-only driving.
- Take a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module and 28 hours of International Driver CPC training within 12 months to drive in the UK and EU.
- Take a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module and 28 hours of National Driver CPC training for UK-only driving.
If Expired for More Than 2 Years:
You will need to complete 35 hours of training (either International or National Driver CPC) to regain your qualification.
Driver CPC Cards
After qualifying, you’ll receive a Driver CPC card (Driver Qualification Card or DQC). Depending on your chosen qualification:
- International Driver CPC Card: Looks the same as the current card.
- National Driver CPC Card: Similar to the International card but marked with ‘DOMESTIC UK USE ONLY.’
If you qualify for both International and National Driver CPCs (e.g., driving HGVs in the EU and buses in the UK), you may hold both cards.
Why Choose PETM LTD for Your Driver CPC Training?
-
At PETM LTD, we provide:
- Comprehensive Driver CPC courses, tailored to the latest government updates.
- Flexible training options, including online and classroom-based sessions.
- High-quality instruction from experienced trainers to ensure you stay compliant and confident on the road.
We aim to:
- make roads safer
- keep drivers educated
- keep your business compliant
Book your training with us today and stay ahead of the changes in Driver CPC requirements!
What does it cost CPC training?
Driver CPC classroom courses cost as little as £65.00 per person per day for International CPC Courses and discounted price of £300.00 per person when 5 days are booked in advance. This price is for classroom training and includes VAT and the DVSA upload fee so there are no hidden extras.
Online Training via ZOOM for International CPC courses is at the price of £55.00 per day per candidate and £250.00 when 5 days (35 hours) are booked in advance – please contact us to benefit from this discount.
National CPC courses – 3.5 hours course – price is £45.00 per person for the classroom training and Online Courses price is £35.00 per person.
We offer the following driver CPC courses:
3.5-Hour Courses, these can be mixed from the courses below, e.g., Driver hours rules & Use of Tachograph for International CPC Purposes or taken as 3.5 hours course for National CPC course:
- Customer Service– this course covers: Company Image, The Professional Driver, How We Communicate, Who Customers Are and What They Want, What Is Customer service, Customer Complaints and How to Deal with Them (LGV & PCV)
- Driver Welfare– this course covers: Driving Licences, Notifiable Conditions, Stress & Mental Health, Alcohol & Drugs, Fatigue, and Driver Fitness (LGV & PCV)
- Drivers Hours & Tacho Awareness– this course covers: Drivers Hours Rules, Tachographs, Operational Guidance (LGV & PCV)
- Drivers Hours Rules– this course covers: Drivers Hours Rules, Working Time Regulations, Operational Guidance (LGV & PCV)
- Fuel Efficient Driving– this course covers: Benefits of Fuel-Efficient Driving, Fuels & Fluids, Use of Vehicle, Vehicle Safety Walk Around Checks, Other Factors, Driving Safely and Fuel Efficiently (LGV & PCV)
- Load Safety– this course covers: Requirements, Considerations Before Loading, Overloading, Load Distribution, Load Security, The Load Security Matrix, Vehicle Dimensions, Loading Equipment (LGV Only)
- Road Traffic Collisions– this course covers: Reasons to Help, Arrive on Scene, Emergency Services, Next Actions, Casualty Care & Dangers, After the Incident (LGV & PCV)
- Rules of the Road– this course covers: Speed Limits, SMART Motorways, Highway Code, Road Signs, Bridge Strikes, Mobile Phones, Sat-Navs, Traffic Accident Procedures, Company Policies (LGV & PCV)
- Safe & Legal LGV Driver– this course covers: Driver Behaviour, Route Planning, Delivery Points, Parking, Documentation, Security & Crime Prevention (LGV Only)
- Use of Tachographs– this course covers: Use of Tachograph Equipment, Operational Guidance (LGV & PCV)
- Vehicle Roadworthiness– this course covers: Walkaround Checks, Legal Requirements, Additional Checks, Safety Equipment, Defect Reporting, Maintenance, Prohibitions (LGV or PCV)
7-Hour Courses International and National CPC:
- Vulnerable Road Users– this course covers: Where Do We Encounter VRU’s? Who Are the VRU’s? Sharing Road Space, Route Planning, New Traffic Systems, Professional Drivers Role, Hazard Perception, Defensive Driving, Blind spots, Vehicle Safety Systems, Cyclists, Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, Horse Riders (LGV & PCV)
- Vulnerable Road Users– this course covers: Where Do We Encounter VRU’s? Who Are the VRU’s? Sharing Road Space, Route Planning, New Traffic Systems, Professional Drivers Role, Hazard Perception, Defensive Driving, Blind spots, Vehicle Safety Systems, Cyclists, Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, Horse Riders (LGV & PCV)
- Operator Licence Awareness– this course covers: Drivers’ Hours, Fleet Inspections & OCRS, Operator Licensing, Driver CPC, Driver Licensing, Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, Walkaround Checks, Enforcement (LGV or PCV)
- 2-Day Transport Manager Refresher– 14 hours CPC – this course covers: Responsibilities, Drivers Hours, Working Time Regulations, Tachographs, Driver Licensing & Driver CPC, OCRS, Operator Licensing, Effective Maintenance Systems, Loading Safely, Vehicle Weights & Dimensions, Transport Health & Safety, Traffic Regulations, Driver Management, Enforcement (LGV or PCV)
We can deliver these courses at your own business premises at the preferred time (subject to availability), or you can come to one of our training venues at Ely or Peterborough.
How does it work?
Training is delivered using a mixture of presentations, videos, discussions and breakout sessions. This is delivered in the classroom and can be at one of our training venues, online via ZOOM or at a customer venue (subject to number of attendees). The course content includes 3.5-hour modules that can be delivered with each other to make up a full 7-hour training course. We offer and stand-alone 7-hour courses and modular 2-by 3.5-hour courses which can be included in your International CPC records or if you prefer only National CPC training 3.5 hours of training can be delivered.
All those attending will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance on completion.
Initial Qualification Information:
Drivers who gained their vocational licence after 9th September 2008 for PCV licences or 9th September 2009 for LGV licences may have had to pass the Driver CPC Initial Qualification to obtain their Drivers Qualification Card (DQC)*. If you have not gained the Initial Qualification, where required and do not have a valid DQC you cannot have any Driver CPC training hours uploaded to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) driver database as part of the 35 hours of periodic training. Further information regarding this can be found here: www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver
PETM LTD cannot accept responsibility if you attend any Driver CPC training course, and it is subsequently discovered that the training hours cannot be uploaded due to the lack of attaining the Initial Qualification. We kindly request that drivers bring their DQC (together with their Driving licence) with them when attending any Driver CPC training course at PETM LTD.
*Please note: drivers who gained their car licence before 1st Jan 1997 typically will have acquired rights for C1 and D1 licences and therefore do not have to gain the Initial Qualification.
If you require any further information on Driver CPC training that is not contained in any of our pages, or if you wish to clarify any implications this may have for you or your company, please contact us.
