Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

by Autec

This course is for professional LGV, PCV, and coach drivers who are legally required to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. On completion, you will get your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card, sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’.

You must carry this card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally. You can get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card.

Companies and individuals can choose how they complete their 35 hours of periodic training. For example, this could be five consecutive days, one day per month, or even one day per year; the choice is yours providing you complete your 35 hours before your card expires.

Periodic Training

Periodic training takes place throughout the 5 years before the expiry date. This allows the driver to train throughout their professional career. Each individual course is seven hours. Training courses cover a wide variety of subjects that are, or could be, relevant to the driver’s day to day job.

Subjects include but not are limited to;

• First Aid
• Fuel Efficiency
• Health and Safety
• Understanding Drivers Hours and Tachographs
• Defensive Driving
• Legal Requirements

Exemption to Driver CPC

Driver CPC is a legal requirement to drive professionally; however there are some drivers who are exempt to this.

• Non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods
• For personal use
• Undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance use
• New or rebuilt vehicles not yet put into service
• Drivers under instruction
• Carrying material or equipment used by the driver in the course of his/her work. Provided that driving is not the driver’s principle activity
• Used by, or under the control of the armed forces, civil defence, or fire service.