Bus, coach, and lorry drivers’ CPC

Date: 04/06/2007

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), a new certification for professional bus, coach, and truck drivers, has received government approval. The ability to drive such cars for a living will no longer be contingent upon having a vocational driving license in the future.

The EU Directive 2003/59, which mandates that all professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers possess a CPC in addition to their vocational driving license, is being implemented under the direction of the Driving Standards Agency. It becomes effective for bus and coach drivers in all member states of the European Union on September 10, 2008, and for lorry drivers on September 10, 2009.

Road safety and more qualified drivers will primarily improve the reduction of traffic fatalities. Additionally, the Driver CPC should enhance the profession’s professionalism and public perception, luring more people to work as bus, coach, and lorry drivers. Its goal is to ensure that LGV and PCV drivers have better knowledge and abilities when they begin their careers as well as that these skills are maintained and developed over the course of their careers.

All category C and D license holders (including C1 and D1) will need to complete 35 hours of training every five years in order to keep their CPCs. Additionally, it adds a new first certification procedure that new drivers must pass before they can operate a vehicle in a professional capacity.

Subject to any license limits for category D drivers, the Driver CPC will enable young people to enter these areas in a safe and professional manner as of the age of 18.

To ensure that the Driver CPC is implemented in a way that meets the needs of the industries, the DSA is working closely with the trade groups for the freight and bus and coach industries, the Sector Skills Councils, and other governmental organizations.

Please get in touch with us if you need any additional details on the Driver CPC that are not provided on any of our pages or if you want to learn more about any potential consequences this may have for you or your business.