Don’t Leave CPC Training Too Late

Don’t Leave CPC Training Too Late
Author: Category:	TrackCompare, February 11, 2011 CPC Training, Driver Training

The Driver CPC of Certificate Of Professional Competence was introduced in 2009 by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) as part of a European Parliament directive aimed at standardising the qualifications of commercial vehicle drivers across the European Union.

The directive came with a deadline which states that HGV and PCV insurance policies will become null and void in 2014 if a driver has not completed the required 35 hours of training and obtained their CPC. The new rules effect all drivers who passed their test before September 2010 and want to drive vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes and require them to complete the CPC course with an approved trainer.

There are over 900 approved trainers across the UK who report that over 2 million training hours have already been completed although it is not clear what percentage of these were for HGV or PCV applications. The CPC qualification involves a mixture of theory and practical tests including case studies and questions on vehicle safety and security. Once passed drivers are required to repeat the training every 5 years.

Simon Taylor from TrackCompare said ‘This is a really important change for UK businesses that operate HGV’s and PCV’s and their drivers. Those that leave it late may find prices for the CPC training increase on demand and high demand could mean that if left too late some drivers will not be able to obtain the certificate before the 2014 deadline. This could leave companies unable to deliver their goods and drivers unable to earn a living.’

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User Comments:

From: joe

I have read through the EC Directive DIRECTIVE 2003/59/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, and cannot see any reference to insurance being null and void – any comments?
From: Halston

I haven’t read the EC… blah blah but I would have thought that it was pretty self explanatory that if you’ve not got a license to drive a vehicle you won’t be insured.
From: mike

Insurers don’t need much of an excuse not to pay out.
From: David M

Whether you are insured or not isn’t a government policy let alone any business of the European Parliament, it is the decision of the insurer under the conditions the policy was offerd. It would make sense that insurers of vehicles where the drivers are required to have a CPC will require them to be properly qualified to drive it, just as they would require the vehicle to be road legal.
From: dotty

its the same with any insurance. i have never been asked to show im qualified to drive my wagon by my insurance company but if i had an accident and i wasnt i wouldn’t be insured.
From: joe

2.From: Halston
I haven’t read the EC… blah blah but I would have thought that it was pretty self explanatory that if you’ve not got a license to drive a vehicle you won’t be insured

Not having your CPC does mean your licence is invalid/revoked. The CPC is only a requiredment to drive on a commercial basis (with certain exceptions). Unless insurance companies put some specific clause in their policy re CPC they would be on a sticky wicket. Agreed most insurance policies do state you must have the correct licence category to drive the vehicle you are driving – but again the CPC is not a licence!

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