It’s now been a year since Driver CPC became compulsory for all professionals drivers.
Since then, drivers and operators have spoken about the benefits they’ve got from Driver CPC. Some drivers say it’s helped them to improve their knowledge and made them safer drivers, others claim that it’s made them more employable.
Drivers and operators have also mentioned that they’ve seen lower incident rates and saved money on fuel thanks to drivers taking courses in defensive or eco-safe driving.
It’s important that all drivers make the most of their training. We know that everyone will have different needs and priorities depending on their circumstances, but here are some general tips on how to get the most out of Driver CPC.
Choosing a course
When choosing a course, pick one that’s relevant to you and the type of driving you do. There’s a huge range of courses available so why not use this as a chance to develop new skills and knowledge. You can take the same course more than once in each 5-year period, but it’s worth asking yourself if this is really going to help your development.
How to find courses and check their quality
You can find information about Driver CPC courses that are available in your area online.
Remember - only approved Driver CPC courses count towards your periodic training and different courses cover different parts of the Driver CPC syllabus.
The vast majority of courses available are of good quality and are delivered by knowledgeable and experienced trainers. However, we take any reports of below-standard courses extremely seriously. If you have any concerns about a course that you’ve attended then please contact DCPC_CC@dsa.gsi.gov.uk.
If we find that a course isn’t being delivered compliantly or to the standard that we'd expect then we’ll take appropriate action. This could result in withdrawing a training centre’s approval.
One day a year
We suggest trying a one day a year approach to your training. This will help you to maximise your professional development and any financial and operational incentives to your business.
By incorporating the training into your ongoing programme of professional development - spreading it evenly over the 5 years – you could start experiencing the benefits such as lower fuel costs straight away.
Changes we’ve made
Last year there were calls for Driver CPC training courses about vulnerable road users (such as motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists) to be made mandatory for all professional drivers. In response we’re encouraging course providers to cover vulnerable road users in courses where possible.
Clearer guidance for bus and lorry drivers
Information about Driver CPC training for qualified drivers has now been brought together into a new guide to make the information easier to find.
- Read the ‘Driver CPC training for qualified drivers guide’
- Read the ‘Become a lorry or bus driver’ guide’
Give us your views
Is there any particular course that you have found useful? How have you benefited from it? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing MovingOn@vosa.gov.uk
5 comments
Comment by Trevor posted on
The concept of 7 hour modules without any form of examination may be flawed. Too many sit watching the time and discouraging questions in case the course runs over. The lack of an incentive limits learning. Instructors delivering the courses tend to be non specialists. Awareness of first aid was similar to Vogon poetry - I seriously considered chewing my own arm off!
The opportunity to share experiences with a dozen other professional drivers was not facilitated.
I think an exam based approach would be more effective. Training could be delivered and tested using computers or smart phones with remedial classroom tuition if needed.
There are also recognized bodies who provide members with the facility to plan and record continued professional development e.g. the IRTE. It's a good time to up our game!
Comment by j mitchell posted on
complete waste of time & money. rip off.
Comment by david ward posted on
It's all very well having to do these sessions and maybe improving your knowledge of some parts of the law, it costs us money and time. there are still too many un-licenced, unlnsured with no Opps
licences doing too much work on the roads. Despite numerous reports to VOSA or the Standards Agency, they do nothing and I mean NOTHING to put end to it. I am really fed up with it having to jump through more and more hoops. The authorities seem only interested in severely punishing licenced drivers and do not bother with un-licenced drivers for some reason. We may as well not bother and all run about un-licenced, it'll be much cheaper and a lot less effort.
Comment by Julie Thomas posted on
I do think training is a good idea, but feel the fact that it is just a case of attending that its a none starter. If i have to give up my time I at least want something worth while. The company I work for are very keen on training and we do it all in house. I want something that is more of a challenge, alot of drivers just fall asleep at the back of the class room. The fact that I do my full ADR packages and tanks (even class 7) they still insist that I have to do the driver cpc. I feel it's a waste of my time, its basically not worth the plastic card its printed on. I would like to see a proper test (multiple choice similar to the ADR) Yes there is a shortage of drivers and yes if it was run properly there would most probably be an even bigger shortage, but maybe then we would be treated with a little more respect. When will this country wake up and realise that without us the country will grind to a halt. I'm fed up with being treated like a 2nd class citizen.
Comment by Peter White posted on
The only thing I found useful was the drivers hours. I think the rest that you have said is just spin. I also know that a lot of drivers left the industry because of these courses which is a major factor as to why there is now a shortage.