Some of you are reaching the end of your Driver Qualification Card’s (DQC) life. So you’ll need to make sure that your training is booked and logged as soon as you can and certainly before it expires.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) applies to professional drivers operating heavy goods vehicles, buses, and coaches. It demonstrates your commitment to maintaining your professional skills and knowledge.
It’s been 15 years since Driver CPC became compulsory for all professional lorry drivers. It now plays a key role in helping the nation’s professional drivers maintain the high standards that help ensure our roads are amongst the safest in the world.
Maintaining your Driver CPC
Drivers need to complete 35 hours of training every 5 years to maintain their Driver CPC. This ensures you stay up to date with changes in regulations, vehicle standards, and driving practices. This is evidenced through the maintenance of a valid DQC.
When Driver CPC was first introduced, lorry drivers had to get their card by 9 September 2014 and then again by September 2019. As cards are valid for 5 years, this means that many current cards will run out in September 2024. So there are lots of drivers trying to complete their 35 hours of training at the same time. In August and September 2019, the volume of training required was three times higher than usual!
What you need to do if you still have training to complete before September
If you don’t complete your training, you could find yourself suspended from professional driving. So you need to finish and log your 35 hours before your current DQC expires. You can still drive professionally if you’ve completed and uploaded 35 hours of periodic training but are waiting for your new DQC to arrive.
The planned reforms for a periodic test to replace the 35 hours of training have not come into force, so affected drivers must make sure they complete their 35 hours of training through the current process before their card expires. They can find out more details about this on GOV.UK.
Planning ahead for the next 5 years
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.
Choosing the right training
When choosing a course, pick one that’s relevant to you and the type of driving you do. There are a huge range of courses available so you can use this as a chance to develop new skills and knowledge.
How to find courses and check their quality
You can find information about Driver CPC courses that are available in your area on GOV.UK. Remember that only approved Driver CPC courses count towards your periodic training and different courses cover different parts of the Driver CPC syllabus.
Most 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 attended then please contact DCPC_CC@dvsa.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.
Further guidance
Information on Driver CPC training for qualified drivers can be found in a guide:
- Read the ‘Driver CPC training for qualified drivers guide’
- Read the ‘Become a lorry or bus driver’ guide’
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Thank you
Your commitment to the highest standards of training and continuous development helps to ensure that we have some of the safest roads in the world. Thanks for all you do – and remember to complete your training by 9 September.