Your Certificate of Professional Competence
CPC stands for the Certificate of Professional Competence. The aim of this training is to encourage high standards of driving and improve road safety. To obtain your Driver's card, candidates need to complete both theory and practical elements.
Periodic training is required every five years to remain safe and compliant, with a fine of up to £1,000 to those driving professionally without the proper CPC training.
A Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) is a legal requirement for anyone wanting to drive larger vehicles professionally or as part of a hire and reward service. If you would like to drive heavy goods or PCV vehicles that weigh over 3.5 tonnes, including LGVs, HGVs, and buses/coaches, you will need to complete CPC training.
People who passed their car test before 1st January 1997 will be required to undertake 35 hours of periodic training. Anyone passing their car test after 1st January 1997 needs to complete initial MOD 2 theory test followed by the MOD 4 practical training and testing.
You can learn about Driver CPC, and the changes going ahead in 2024/2025.
Initial & Periodic Training
2 Start training provides both Initial and Periodic HGV drivers’ CPC training.
Your training is a key part of driving an HGV and requires you to complete approved training every 5 years as a professional HGV driver for hire or reward.
Our courses are available separately or included as part of certain driver training packages provided by 2 Start, you can enquire today and expert training advisors will identify what course(s) you require.
You can complete CPC training for C1 7.5 tonne; category D1; Category C & Category C+E licences.
Initial Training
As a new driver, you will be required to complete the initial driver CPC training, this will consist of four modules:
- Module 1 (theory and hazard perception test)
- Module 2 (theory-based case study test)
- Module 3 (made up of two parts)
- Part 3a (off-road exercises)
- Part 3b (practical HGV test)
- Module 4 (practical assessment demonstration test)
Periodic Training
However, if you are already a fully qualified HGV driver, you will be required to complete periodic training every 5 years to keep your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) to drive a lorry, bus, or coach.
Our periodic CPC training courses cover the following topics:
To keep your driver's entitlement, you must complete the required training hours before your 5-year deadline. It’s up to you when you take the training courses, as long as you do them within the 5-year period.
2 Start Ltd is a JAUPT-approved training provider for CPC, so your training hours will count towards your official Hours.
Looking to check your Driver CPC hours?
Exemptions
Certain drivers are not required to have the driver's CPC. 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, i.e. 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.
Online Training
We provide both a 5-day periodic training course as well as our 1-day periodic training course that focuses on any one of the key subjects required and is available for you to book now!
We also provide both a 5-day Classroom based course that covers all the areas required as well as our 1-day Classroom based course that allows you to choose a specific topic to focus on.
All of our classroom courses are taught in air-conditioned rooms, which provides a comfortable training environment for our students.
In order to complete one of our remote CPC courses, all you need is to have access to:
- A computer with a camera and microphone
- Internet connection
Once students have enrolled on our courses, they will be sent guidelines on how to set up, install and use Zoom, and how to begin.
Trusted, Accredited & Experienced CPC Training Provider
Only Driver CPC courses that are approved and are being delivered by an accredited training provider of the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) will count towards your periodic training requirement and 35 hour entitlement.
2 Start Ltd is a JAUPT-approved training provider with multiple training locations across the South Coast.
Helpful Driver CPC Training Videos
Driver CPC Daily Walk-Round Checks
Driver CPC LGV Security Checks
Driver CPC Security Devices
Our Training Locations
Our six training depots are located in: Portsmouth; Otterbourne; Aldermaston; Theale; Worthing and Havant. Our training centres are conveniently situated within the local areas of the following counties to provide the maximum coverage within: Hampshire; Isle of Wight; West Sussex; East Sussex; Surrey; Buckinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Berkshire; Wiltshire and the eastern side of Dorset.
Why Train with 2 Start?
Call our advisors 02392 123 555
Speak with our experienced advisors Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm
