Following a consultation that took place last year, changes are being made to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) scheme in the UK.
From 3 December 2024, drivers can choose between two different routes
- International Driver CPC
- National Driver CPC
International Driver CPC
The International Driver CPC is simply the new name for the ‘old’ driver CPC system.
Nothing has changed and you still need to complete 35 hours training every 5 years:
- Courses are seven hours long (but can be split over consecutive days)
- You can do 12 of your 35 hours via online learning
- Courses can be part self-paced e-learning and part instructor led
National Driver CPC
The National Driver CPC is a more flexible version but only permits you to be driving in the UK.
You still need to do 35 hours every five years, but the changes are that:
- The course must be at least 3.5 hrs long
- A split seven-hour course doesn’t need to be on consecutive days
- You can do up to 12 hours via online learning
- Entire courses can now be self-paced e-learning only, without the requirement for an instructor led element.
Drivers and operators should be aware that drives can be fined up to £1000 for driving professionally without the Driver CPC. That would then need to be notified to the Traffic Commissioner.
If you would like to know more about the upcoming changes to the Driver CPC scheme, then please contact Jared Dunbar.