Driver CPC

In future, just holding an LGV driving licence will not be sufficient for someone who wishes to drive Large Goods Vehicles for a living.

The Driving Standards Agency is implementing EU Directive 2003/59 which requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence. It comes into force across all European Union member states on:

? 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers

? 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers

In order to maintain their Driver CPC, all category C and D licence holders (including C, C1, C1E and D, D1, DE, D1E) will be required to undertake 35 hours Periodic Training every 5 years.

Driver CPC also introduces a new Initial Qualification for drivers entering the industries after these dates, which they must complete in order to drive professionally.

The main aim behind Driver CPC is to improve road safety; providing better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties. Driver CPC should also bring an improved professional and positive image to the industries, attracting more people to drive buses, coaches and lorries for a living. It is aimed not only at improving the knowledge and skills of LGV and PCV drivers when they first start work, but also ensuring those skills are maintained and developed throughout the driver?s working life.