Driver CPC deadline has been reached

Driver CPC deadline reached

The deadline for lorry drivers with acquired rights to finish their first 35 hours of Driver CPC periodic training has now passed.

Yesterday (9 September 2014) was the deadline for existing lorry drivers to finish their first 35 hours of training.

This means that from today (10 September 2014), all professional lorry, bus or coach drivers on Great Britain’s roads have proved their skills and taken training to keep themselves up to date.

Most drivers met the deadline

The latest figures show that 664,000 drivers have now done their first block of training. This compares to industry estimates suggesting there are between 425,000 and 675,000 professional drivers in Great Britain.

Drivers who haven’t finished their training

If you had acquired rights and haven’t yet completed 35 hours of periodic training, you’re not allowed to drive professionally again until you complete it.

Any training you’ve already done stays valid for 5 years from the date you took the course, and isn’t lost because of the deadline.

You can check your Driver CPC periodic training hours and find approved training courses online.

Driver qualification card

• You get a driver qualification card (DQC) when you pass the Driver CPC initial qualification or complete 35 hours of periodic training.
• You must carry this while driving a large goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle professionally.
• You can get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without having your DQC with you.

Still waiting for your DQC

• You can still drive professionally if you’ve just completed your periodic training and you’re waiting for your DQC to arrive.
• You should contact the training centre where you did your training if it isn’t showing on your record 5 days after taking it.

Lost, stolen or damaged DQC

You must email DVSA if your DQC has been lost, stolen or damaged.

Find out more about the DQC

Enforcing Driver CPC

Driving without a DQC, or failing to produce it, carries a maximum fine of £1,000 for both the driver and the operator licence holder.

These offences will be referred to the Traffic Commissioner who will then consider what action to take. This could include suspending the driver’s licence and/or the operator’s licence.

More about this story

You can read more about the Driver CPC deadline being reached, including reactions from Alastair Peoples (DVSA Chief Executive), the Traffic Commissioners, and the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association.