Route 1 - Having Driver CPC through ‘acquired rights’

You could have the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) through ‘acquired rights’ if you’re already a professional lorry, bus or coach driver.

 

You’ll have ‘acquired rights’ if you’re a Driver and got your vocational licence (C, C1, C+E and C1+E) before 10th September 2009.

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Bus or Coach driver and got your vocational licence (D, D1, D+E and D1+E) before 10th September 2008 – this includes a restricted vocational licence D(101) issued after 1991 and D1(101) issued before 1997 (though you should by now have completed periodic training).

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If you’ve got your Driver CPC by ‘acquired rights’ you must do 35 hours of periodic training by 9th September 2014 if you’re a lorry driver.  If you’re a bus or coach driver, you must have already done your training by 9th September 2013 to keep driving professionally.

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This training is classroom based and held at our premises at Felling.  This consists of 5 modules with each module giving a credit of 7 hours and once all 5 modules (35 hours) have been completed the Driver & Vehicle Agency will issue the Driver with their Driver Qualification Card.

 

Route 2 - Initial CPC

If you passed your car test after 1997 you must do the Initial CPC if you are going to be driving professionally.  

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The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Initial qualification has 2 parts which means that drivers will need to complete 4 parts to gain their full vocational driving licence:

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• Part 1 – Theory tests (this includes 2 separate tests – multiple-choice and hazard perception)

• Part 2 – Driver CPC Case Study test (computer-based exercise with 7 studies based on real-life situations – e.g. driving in icy conditions)

• Part 3 – Driving Ability test

• Part 4 Driver CPC Practical Demonstration test (this takes 30 minutes – you will need to show you can keep your vehicle safe and secure, e.g. loading your vehicle safely)

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You must pass all 4 parts to get your Vocational Driving Licence & Driver CPC

You can be fined up to £1000 if you are driving professionally without a Driver CPC.

We also offer individual modules which you can count towards 7 hours of your driver CPC.  The modules are;

• Tachograph Rules and Driver’s Hours

• Operator Licencing & Road Traffic Regulations

• Hazard Perception and Customer Care

• Health and Safety in Transport

• Safe Loading and Unloading

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