What’s your view – DfT consults on Driver CPC changes
05 March 2023
Since 2007 professional drivers have been required to maintain the Driver CPC qualification. The qualification is maintained by undertaking 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. One of the main aims behind the introduction of the Driver CPC was to improve road safety and to protect the welfare of the driver, including during duties carried out while the vehicle is halted.
The new DfT consultation concerns proposed changes to the Driver CPC and forms part of the Government’s commitment to support the transport sector in retaining and recruiting drivers. The changes will only apply to driving within Great Britain (including NI if agreed). The requirements for drivers travelling to and from the EU will remain the same whatever the outcome of the consultation on the suggested changes.
The proposed changes would create two co-existing qualifications:
- a national DCPC (N-DCPC) – the subject of the consultation
- an international DCPC (I-DCPC) – the unchanged EU regime
The changes only affect the periodic renewal element of the Driver CPC – namely those drivers seeking to maintain or re-gain their Driver CPC – and will not affect new entrants to the sector.
The three main areas identified for reform are:
- the minimum length of the training required
- a new alternative ‘periodic test’ instead of the 35 hours training
- a specific route for returning drivers
You can submit your views to the DfT here before 27 April 2023. There are some obvious perks to the changes, such as removing the condition that split courses with e-learning must be completed across consecutive days. This increases flexibility for both drivers and employers. However, the new two-tier Driver CPC scheme will complicate matters for operators who make occasional international trips, and the ‘periodic test’ is as yet unclear in terms of content.
For more expert guidance on everything relating to your operator’s licence contact Backhouse Jones’ team of expert road transport solicitors by clicking here, call 01254 828 300, or email regulatory@backhouses.co.uk.
