What is CPC
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. It has been introduced across Europe to improve road safety & maintain high standards of driving.
Under a EU Directive, professional bus, coach and lorry drivers need to hold a Driver CPC in addition to a vocational driving licence. All drivers of lorries over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses with 9 seats or more must usually obtain a Driver CPC. See exemptions below.
What is CPC
New drivers obtain their Driver CPC by passing a series of initial qualification tests – theory and practical (modules 2+4). This must then be followed by 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years if they want to keep their Driver CPC after that period. All new drivers who have qualified via the initial qualification route will receive a Driver Qualification Card (DQC). Existing drivers with acquired rights (grandfather rights) will receive their DQC when they have completed their first 35 hours of periodic training.
Exemptions
Drivers do not need a Driver CPC if the vehicle they drive:
- has a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 kilometres per hour
- is used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order
- is undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or is a new or rebuilt vehicles which * have not yet been put into service
- is used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions
- is used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or a Driver CPC
Exemptions
Drivers do not need a Driver CPC if the vehicle they drive:
- is used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use.
- is carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his or her work, provided that driving the vehicle is not the driver’s principal activity.
Initial CPC
The CPC initial is made up of two parts, Module 2 and Module 4. You need to do the initial CPC when you pass your HGV or PCV driving test.
Module 2 – Case Study Test
50 multi choice questions based on 7 different scenarios. The scenarios are designed to reflect situations a professional PCV or LGV driver will encounter in his or her working life. Must get at least 40 answers correct to be awarded a pass. Use our CPC theory training software to practice the theory test before you take it.
Module 4- Practical Demonstration Test
Practical Demonstration exam. No driving is required for this part, but we will provide a suitable vehicle to demonstrate your answers. It’s all about what a driver does whilst not driving. This may include checking the vehicle is not incorrectly loaded or overloaded, securing a load with the correct restraining devices, checking a vehicle is safe and in good working order before taking it on the public highway.
On completion of all modules drivers will be issued with their initial DQC which is valid for 5 years. Within that 5 years and every 5 years thereafter drivers will then become subject to periodic Driver CPC training, i.e. 35 hours every 5 years.
Periodic CPC
All drivers need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years on an ongoing basis to keep driving for a living, once the initial CPC expires.
Periodic Training is delivered through classroom style courses that drivers attend over the five-year period for which their current Driver CPC is valid.
The 35 hours are broken down in to five separate classroom days, each day is 7 hours long. There is no pass or fail element to these courses, you only have to attend the class.
Each new five-year period will begin from the expiry date of the driver’s current Driver CPC qualification, and not from the date on which they reached the 35 hours minimum training requirement.
Drivers of both PCV and LGV vehicles only need to do one set of periodic training every 5 years.
Transport Manager CPC
The Transport Manager CPC is a legal requirement of the operator licensing system for both Standard National and International licences. Someone in your company requires the Transport Manager CPC Licence if you run a business with more than 1 Cat C or Cat D vehicle.
This qualification is offered on behalf of the Department for Transport and in relation to the current EU Directive. It is suitable for those wishing to enter the profession of Road Haulage Transport Management or demonstrate professional competence to meet the Operator Licensing requirements.
Why do i need one?
Applicants for a Transport Managers Licence must show that they are “professionally competent” or that they employ a transport manager who meets the requirements. Persons will be considered “professionally competent” by passing the examination for the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) set by OCR Examinations on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT).
What does the course cover?
-Introduction/ Business & Company Law / Industrial Relations / Health & Safety
-Financial Management / Commercial Conduct / Marketing / Business Taxation
-Vehicle Selection / Operator Licensing / VED / Insurance / Transport Ancillaries & Contracts of Carriage
-Maintenance Planning / Economic Vehicle Usage / Weights & Dimensions of Vehicle Loads
-Drivers Hours / Working Time Regulations / Driver Records / Traffic Accident Procedure
-Safe Loading & Transit of Goods / Driver Licensing / Periodic Training / Electronic Data / Case Studies
-Insurance & CMR / Plating & Testing / Fleet Inspection/ Traffic Regulations
Finance Available – Train Now and Pay Later
The effects of Covid 19 have hit nearly everybody in the pocket. Spread the cost of your training. Making it even easier to get started straight away. Find out within minutes if you are eligible, Get a decision instantly.
Over 50 centres across the UK
We have the Largest network of high-quality training sites in the UK – our training centres cover nearly all major towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Get a job after you pass!
With the driver shortage currently sitting at 100,000 drivers needed, we have setup an exclusive partnership with Blue Arrow, one of the UKs largest specialist staffing companies. Blue Arrow hire drivers for some of the biggest companies in the UK.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK?
The current driver shortage is now sitting at around the 100,000 mark. This is now reaching a real crisis point as the demand for distribution keeps on increasing year on year.
The industry is currently losing nearly 4000 drivers a year to retirement, as the average age of an existing lorry driver is 53yo.
The demand for drivers has also increased by nearly 40000 drivers during the Covid19 pandemic and Brexit.
Why is there a driver shortage?
The average age of a HGV driver is 53 years old and only 2% of drivers are under the age of 25.
That means with the amount of people retiring, there isn’t enough drivers to fully sustain the industry and to continue delivering high quality services. If something isn’t done to try and attract more drivers, the industry shortage will have a huge and long-lasting impact on the goods that are being delivered up and down the UK.
The haulage industry has also blamed the driver shortfall on a post-Brexit exodus of European drivers. The Road Haulage Association estimates that up to 20,000 HGV drivers from the EU left during the Brexit process.
It is also estimated that the extra demand for more drivers during the Covid19 pandemic has increased the demand for HGV drivers by an extra 20,000 as more and more products are being delivered to residential addresses.
How long does it take to learn to drive a HGV?
Once you have the correct provisional entitlement on you licence and you have passed your theory tests, we deliver our training courses in only 5 days. Typically, it is done all in one week, the training would start on the Monday morning and finish on the Friday afternoon. The test with the DVSA is done as soon as you finish your training.
So you sit your test while the training is still fresh in your mind. Giving you the best chance of passing first time.
How much does a HGV driver earn?
A typical class 2 driver earns between £25,000 – £38,000 per year
A typical class 1 driver earns between £30,000 – £55,000 per year
A typical tanker Truck driver (ADR) earns between £40,000 – £60,000 per year
Where will I do my training?
We currently have 50 centres across the UK,
click here to find your closest location
What the difference between HGV and LGV?
HGV stands for “heavy goods vehicle” and LGV stands for “large good vehicle”, not “light goods vehicle” as some mistakenly believe. This means that, under UK and European law, an HGV license and an LGV license are fundamentally the same thing. They cover all commercial lorries featuring a gross combination mass of over 3500kg, which includes fridge trucks, box vans, Luton vans, flat beds, tippers and more.
Why choose the HGV Training Network?
We arrange everything for you: from your first medical and the provisional application stage, to arranging the theory and practical parts of your test. If you require the licence as part of your career, we will even help you obtain your driver’s CPC qualification. Once you are qualified, we can even help you arrange interviews so you can get your first job as a professional driver.
We handle everything. You can even start the driving lessons now and pay for it later.
How much does HGV training cost?
All of our courses are tailored to each student’s needs. We are even able to pick up from whatever stage you are currently at with your training.
Finance is also available through us, so “Train Now and Pay Later” and spread the costs of the course for up to 36 months.
How does the HGV theory test work?
The HGV Theory Test is broken down into two parts just like a car licence;
1.Hazard Perception Test (identifying developing hazards in video clips)
2.Multiple Choice Test (multiple choice questions).
Both parts of the test are computer-based, and we will provide you with Industry Standard online revision material which mirrors your tests at the Theory Test Centre.
Will the HGV Training Network help me get a job as a HGV driver?
Once you have passed your test, we will help you get in to work by putting you on to our partners at Blue Arrow. Just tell them what sort of jobs you’re looking for and how far you’re prepared to travel, and they will do the rest!
We also get your applications underway by sorting out your CV and Cover Letter to Industry standard.
