How can I train to become an HGV driver? Your questions answered

International Driver CPC will be the new name for how Driver CPC currently works.

You will need to take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every 5 years to be allowed to drive in the EU and the UK.

The will be no changes to how it works. This means that:

• courses must be at least 7 hours long
• if a course is split over a day, it has to be completed on 2 consecutive days
• e-learning in a trainer-led course is limited to 2 hours
• you’re allowed to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards your overall 35 hours of training

National Driver CPC will be a more flexible version of the existing Driver CPC.

If you only want to drive in the UK, you’ll be able to take either:

• 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every 5 years
• a combination of 35 hours of National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC training every 5 years

The new flexibility means that with National Driver CPC courses:

• the courses must be at least 3 hours 30 minutes long - training providers will still be able to offer longer courses if they want to
• split courses will not need to be completed on 2 consecutive days - course providers will be free to set their own time limits
• you will be able to take e-learning only courses - for example, you could take an approved 3 hours 30 minutes long e-learning course at your workplace or home
• you’ll be allowed to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards your overall 35 hours of training

Drivers and hauliers are in even greater demand.  There may also be changes to the operater licence requirements coming soon, so driver and manager training are more important than ever.  If you already work in a transport operation, or are thinking about setting up as an operator in haulage or PSV, you will need to get plenty of help and advice.  We are always happy to speak to people who need some information, so please contact us and we will do what we can to help.  We do not charge for any services until we agree with the client.  Advice is free!

Drivers must have a Driver Qualification Card, or DQC. If you are a professional large goods vehicle driver (C, C1, C+E or C1+E).

Each CPC card is valid for five years from the date of issue. This means that – unlike the 2014 deadline set when Driver CPC was introduced – each driver’s renewal date is unique to them.

All drivers must undertake 35 hours’ periodic training before the end of the five years following the issue date on their DQC. If the training is not undertaken during that time, they will not be permitted to drive professionally until they have completed their 35 hours.

The best way to ensure that a DQC doesn’t lapse is to carry out at least one day’s mandatory periodic training every year.

The consequences

If a driver is caught driving commercially without their Driver Qualification Card:

   Both driver and operator face fines of up to £1000

   Driver suspended from driving commercially until training is completed

   Possible reduction in driving workforce, and operations adversely affected

   If operations are affected, your reputation with customers could be damaged

   If convicted, operator’s OCRS rating will drop to red

   Likely increase in insurance premiums

From 1 October 2022 the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) became part of DVSA.

JAUPT processed applications from training providers for centre and course approvals for Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) and drink-drive rehabilitation (DDR).

JAUPT offered these services exclusively to DVSA so it was decided to bring the functions JAUPT offered in-house to DVSA. The existing staff have joined DVSA so the service to DCPC training providers and drink-drive rehabilitation providers stays the same.

Services staying the same in the short term

So, the change does not affect the services to DCPC and DDR providers a lot of the services will remain the same to begin with, including:

   the current process for approving training courses and centres

   uploading new courses

   auditing process for training courses and centres

   keeping the existing find your nearest service

The phone number for enquiries will continue to be 01908 787 000 and the email for general enquiries is JAUPT-Enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk

Driver CPC Training Online

 We understand that a course via the internet is never the same as face-to-face but we guarantee that we will make it the best
experience we possibly can - informative and fun too.

You will still:
     • get a full day of training.
     • get the information you need.
     • be able to participate and ask questions.
     • get a valid CPC certificate.
     • get the support we offer all our customers.
     • get a very competitive price.

See our Driver CPC page for more info and booking courses

If you have 'acquired rights' on your driving licence, it may be possible to drive another catoegory professionally, but you will have to make sure you have completed the right CPC courses.  To be able to sit a standard Driver CPC course, you need to be able to answer yes to one of the following 3 statements:

A) I passed my car test before 1997

B) I passed a vocational driving qualification before 2008(PCV) or 2009(HGV)

C) I currently hold or have held a driver CPC card 

If a driver held a Cat C or CE licence prior to the introduction of CPC on 10 September 2009, they were granted acquired rights for the first 5 years. These acquired rights expired on 9 September 2014.

If the driver holds these acquired rights, 35 hours of periodic training should renew the entitlement.

You can still drive professionally while waiting for your card if both of the following apply:

•        you’ve done your periodic training

•        your training provider has recorded the training (they must do this within 5 working days of the training ending)

For drivers who passed their test while in the Armed Forces, you will need to complete modules 2 and 4 of the current driving test.

How much does a CPC course cost?

The cost of a CPC course can vary, depending on where and how you do it.  It is usually cheaper per person if a company runs a course because they often pay a group fee, instead of for each person, but generally a CPC course is between £50 and £70 per day's course. 

For drivers of companies in Swindon, Royal Wootton Bassett, Marlborough, Chippenham, Corsham, Newbury, Hungerford, Cirencester, Stroud, Wantage, Didcot, Witney, Abingdon, Oxford and Reading, we offer classroom CPC courses at exceptionally reasonable rates that suit the client's needs.

For companies we have a sliding scale of pricing, so you pay as little as necessary to get your drivers CPC trained.

Driver CPC courses in the workplace for as little as £35 per driver - 10 to 15 drivers. 

For 5 still only £55 per driver, and for fewer than 5, it is 175+18 per driver. 

For 15 to 20 drivers it is just 30 per driver!

Email: contact@swindontraining.com or use the contact form and we will get back to you right away.

The CPC Scheme Explained

The CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) scheme was developed in order to standardise professional levels of competency across Europe in the transport sector, which is subject to detailed and comprehensive legislation. The scheme applies to drivers and transport managers.

The idea is that a professional driver will undertake 35 hours of periodic training within a 5-year period. This may be taken all at once – 5 modules of 7 hours each during a week of training, or it may be spread over the 5-year period, for instance, the individual undertaking a CPC module once or twice a year until he or she has ‘banked’ the requisite number of CPC training hours.

A transport manager will complete an initial Transport Manager CPC course and will then undertake periodic refresher courses in order to stay abreast of current legislation.

Staying up to date with changes in legislation, keeping key information fresh and to the forefront of our thinking and ensuring that we all understand the importance of the role we play in compliancy and customer care are some of the mainstays of the CPC scheme, each clearly laid out in the CPC syllabus (see JAUPT).

A solid CPC course will look at specific factors that affect the transport industry, legislation and driver behaviours. It will provide ample learning opportunities for the attendees and, like any vocational training course, a driver CPC module will involve the recycling and refreshing of knowledge that the participants already have, with opportunities to build on that knowledge and apply it to their own specific context. 

Another extremely important part of the CPC training scheme is to increase the learner’s confidence in their own ability to carry out their daily tasks effectively and address any issues or concerns they may have. This is why it is essential for the trainer to create an environment that permits and encourages the participants to be open and frank about their own experiences and (professional) opinions. As a trainer, I have found that I learn something new every time I deliver a course, so I too gain from the process and always aim to use the experience to develop professionally.

Operating Light Goods Vehicles in Europe? – Apply for your International Operators’ Licence TODAY

   From 21 May 2022, new EU rules mean that if you are intending to use a Light Goods Vehicle weighing more than 2.5 tonnes to transport goods for hire or reward into or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you will need an International Operators’ Licence.

With less than a month until these rules come into effect, if you want to continue to operate in the EU without interruption, you need to apply for an operators’ licence and select the interim option. 

To avoid delays in processing your application, please visit GOV.UK for a full list of the information required.

When completing your application, remember:

• You’ll need to have a qualified transport manager. If you do not have the qualification, you might be able to be temporarily recognised as a transport manager if you have enough experience. You can make the process easier by using the service on GOV.UK.
• You’ll need to show documents such as bank statements, to prove that you have access to a set amount of finance to run your business. See which documents you can use.

Do you already hold an International Operators’ Licence?

If you already hold an International Operators' Licence for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) you can add extra LGVs to your existing licence. 

You may also need to make posting declarations for journeys to the EU

Don’t forget that if you’re transporting goods between two points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway for commercial purposes, (known as cabotage or cross trade), you must now make a “posting declaration”, which means registering the operator, driver, driver employment details, dates of travel, and the vehicle used.

This could be using HGVs, vans or other light goods vehicles of any size, or cars, whether or not you’re towing a trailer. It’ll apply if you’re moving the goods for hire or reward, or for your own business’ use.