Drivers CPC Training

Driver CPC Information

CPC stands for The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. Its main aim is to encourage high standards of driving and improve road safety. The qualification will involve both theory and practical elements. Every 5 years you must do 35 hours of training in order to keep it. There can be a £1,000 fine for driving professionally without your CPC so its vital you keep it up to date and carry it with you at all times.

What is Driver CPC?

A Driver Certificate of Professional Competence or Driver CPC is a legal requirement for those driving larger vehicles professionally. All drivers who are driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes which can include LGV drivers, HGV drivers and bus/coach or lorry drivers are required to do CPC training. If a vehicle has 9 passenger seats or more then they are required to do the Periodic/Driver CPC training course (as well as the initial where applicable) – Complete 35 hours of periodic CPC training every five years. You must carry evidence of your Driver CPC status when driving professionally and you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC training.

For more information on drivers CPC see our handy guide here: Driver CPC further information

Do I need CPC training?

You won’t need to complete CPC training if you simply enjoy driving for a hobby. This training is compulsory if you drive a lorry, bus or coach as the predominant part of your job. All drivers who are driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, or with 9 passenger seats or more are required to do the Periodic/Driver CPC (as well as the initial where applicable) – 35 hours of CPC training every five years.

Exemptions

Certain drivers do not require to have the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. These are either based on what the vehicle is transporting, or what the vehicle is used for. Drivers are exempt if the vehicle is:

Used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use;
Undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service; (must be driven by a qualified motor mechanic)
Used in the course of driving lessons for the purpose of enabling that person to obtain a driving licence or a Drivers CPC; (must be driven by driving instructors)
Carrying material or equipment to be used by that person in the course of his or her work, provided that driving that vehicle does not constitute the driver’s principal activity. (For example, transporting scaffolding to the driver’s place of work. Driving must not become the major part of the work, i.e. the work being carried out at the site of work, must be a significantly greater use of time than driving itself.)
With a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 km/h; (such as agricultural tractors)
Used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order;
Used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions.

For more information on exemptions and requirements, please see the Government website.

When must Driver CPC training be taken?

You must have your Driver CPC qualification before driving professionally. You will need to take the training in the country in which When must Driver CPC training be taken?

you live or work normally. A full 35 hours of periodic training will take place when booking a 5 day training option. Training must be done within the period for which the card is valid in order for it to be renewed. If taking the training after it has expired, you will not be able to drive professionally until it has been completed.

The Government has stated that it has no plans to repeal the Driver CPC legislation following the Brexit vote, so drivers will still need to be continuing with their training and cannot wait until the card has run out.

Initial CPC Module 2 & Module 4

Initial CPC Module 2 & Module 4

The initial CPC is required if you wish to drive a vehicle for commercial purposes also known as hire & reward, meaning you are paid to drive.

If you are applying for a LGV (Lorry Licence) or a PCV (Bus Licence) after September 2009 you will be required to complete the initial CPC (module 2 & module 4) as part of the licence acquisition process.

There are two separate tests:

Module 2

This is a theory test conducted at your local theory test centre. It is a “case study” theory and you will have 75 minutes to complete this test.

This is a computer-based exercise which covers situations you may encounter when driving as a professional HGV driver. There are 7 subjects with 6 to 8 questions per subject.

Module 4

The initial CPC is a practical ‘show me – tell me’ test conducted at our training centres by our own DVSA approved MOD 4 examiners.

On the day of your test, you will receive 2.5 hours of training beforehand which will cover all elements of the practical test.

The test is 20 to 30 minutes long and covers questions in the following areas; daily walk-around checks, the ability to prevent physical risk, loading and the security of loads, keeping the vehicle secure, emergency procedures, loaded vehicle dynamics, border crossings, and security procedures.

This encompasses a wide range of situations typically encountered by drivers and is covered in full by our instructors. Both Passenger Vehicles and Goods Vehicles Initial CPC courses can be completed at 2 Start.

Useful CPC training videos

Price Match Promise

We are confident that our prices are competitive. But in the unlikely event that you receive a lower quotation from another company for the same training, we will match it. What’s more, you can be sure we won’t be compromising on training content or quality.

With our Price Match Promise you can choose 2 Start Ltd with complete confidence.

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