Monthly Archives: March 2025

As all professional drivers know, your CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is an industry-recognised accreditation, alongside your chosen licence, that is required to prove you are able to drive various vehicles safely and competently. 

Specifically, it is a legal requirement for all bus, coach and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.

But it doesn’t last forever. Once you first gain your CPC qualification, you need to complete 35 hours of periodic CPC training every 5 years for it to remain valid. Should you miss your driver CPC training course, your driver certificate will be rendered void and you’ll no longer be able to drive for a living.

Thankfully, if your CPC has expired, or is on the way out, retaining it is relatively simple thanks to the accessible and easy-to-navigate driver CPC courses offered here at the HGV Training Network.

So whether you’re an experienced driver looking to stay on the road, or you’re returning to the game after a long time away, we’re here to help. Click the links above to look further into CPC training, or keep reading to learn more.

Did You Know: HGVTN is home to a host of driver training courses, helping you get behind the wheel whatever you wish to drive professionally!

What to do if your driver qualification card has expired?

Rules are rules: If you’ve left it too late and have allowed your driver CPC qualification to expire, you’re no longer allowed to drive vehicles professionally.

This is even true if you’re in the process of booking or undertaking your CPC refresher training; you’ll need to wait until you have completed the course and have your CPC reinstated before driving for a living again.

This is why completing your driver training in a timely manner is so essential. It helps you avoid loss of time and earnings and keeps you doing what you do best.

If your card has expired, and you drive full-time for a company, you must inform your employer immediately, as you’re no longer allowed on the road.

At this point, you should book yourself in for CPC driver training as soon as possible. But don’t worry, the team at HGVTN is here to help. And with over 50 certified HGV training centres to choose from, you’ll be able to complete your 35 hours in rapid time in a location that’s convenient for you!

How to renew your driver CPC card 

The beauty of the CPC card and working with an experienced and reputable training provider like HGV Training Network is that you don’t need to get involved when it comes to physically renewing your CPC. Aside from the training, of course.

After you’ve completed your training with your chosen provider (we strongly recommend choosing us) you don’t need to lift a finger – your training provider will contact the DVLA on your behalf and instruct them to send your renewed driver CPC card. All you need to do is wait until it arrives.

You don’t even need to complete your training in one big chunk if you don’t want to. You can break it up into smaller increments that fit around your busy work and life schedule. As long as you hit 35 hours of training before you reach the 5-year mark, you’re good to go.

Just be sure you keep track of how much training you’ve completed – if you go over the 35-hour mark accidentally, you can’t put that towards your next batch of CPC renewal training, so try not to waste your time!

CPC renewal courses at HGV Training Network

Ready to tick off your national driver CPC renewal and keep yourself in poll position for the best driving gigs? HGV Training Network is here to help.

Our team is comprised of experienced professional drivers who’ve seen it all and done it all, so they’re well-prepped to deliver the exact training you need to keep your wheels moving – CPC training included.

Better still, you’re able to complete your driver CPC training online, if you want to, by attending online driver CPC courses from the comfort of your own home.

Sound good? For more information on our periodic CPC training renewal courses – as well as our other courses, including HIAB training and ADR training – get in touch with a member of the team today and we’d be happy to assist you.

A tachograph card measures the mileage, rest times and speed of a driver.

They’re compulsory for professional drivers as they ensure EU and GB domestic regulation compliance, which is essential to keep drivers and the public safe.

If you’re wondering whether you can drive without your tachograph card, we’re here to help!

At HGV Training Network, We have over 50 centres in the UK where you can discover outstanding CPC training, alongside ADR training and HIAB training.

Read on as we break down the process that you should follow if have a lost or stolen card.

What should you do if you’ve lost your tachograph card?

If you’ve lost a manual tachograph driver card, you should alert your employer and record your driving and rest times manually on paper slips.

What to do if your tachograph card has been damaged

In the event of a damaged manual tacho card, you should discuss what’s happened with your employer, while you continue to record your driving activity by hand.

If your digital tachograph card has been damaged, you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately to report the damage and apply for a replacement within 7 days. 

You must pay a replacement fee for your new digital card and carry your Vehicle Unit (VU) records while you drive in case you get stopped by enforcement.

What to do if your tachograph card has been stolen

Similarly, if your card has been stolen, you must report it to the DVLA as soon as you become aware that it is missing and pay the replacement fee while keeping your VU records handy.

What to do if you’ve lost your digital tachograph card

If you’ve lost your digital tachograph card, it’s crucial that you inform the DVLA as soon as possible, as it will affect your ability to record your drivers’ hours. You can continue to drive for up to 15 days without a card, while you wait for a replacement.

You must apply for a new card within 7 days.

You can apply online by submitting your driving licence number and the replacement fee.

If you don’t have your tachograph card, you must carry VU records with you, should you be stopped by enforcement like the police. These records must be printed twice a day, at the start and end of your shift, and handed over to your employer or vehicle operator after 28 days.

Should you find your misplaced card, you should send it back to the DVLA via post, with a letter to explain what’s happened.

To find out more about the differences between manual and digital tachograph cards, check out our blog.

How often should a digital tachograph card be downloaded?

These cards store data digitally, which must legally be downloaded and accessed to make sure that drivers are complying with road transport regulations.

The data from a digital tachograph card should be downloaded at least every 28 days to monitor driver activity and promote safety. Failure to do so could result in legal consequences, including fines or penalties.

How long does a replacement tachograph card take?

Once you’ve filled out an application form, your replacement card should typically take 5-8 working days to arrive. It will be delivered to the address shown on your driving licence.

During this time, you can continue to use your VU records temporarily while you wait for your new card. It’s extremely important that you continue to print these records twice a day, as they serve as a substitute for your missing card.help you retrain into a career you will love.  Why not read the testimonials from our past students to see how we can help?

Ready to start your career as a HGV driver?

At HGV Training Network, our specialists help you begin your career as a professional driver through comprehensive training. Additionally, you can benefit from our career service after successful completion to access your dream role.

Get in touch today to find out more information.