We get asked many questions whilst delivering our CPC Driver Training Courses (including our most asked question of “What time are the sandwiches coming?”. So we have listed a few below that are course related.

If you have a question that isn’t listed below, just drop us a message via the Contact Us Page.

To maintain your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in order to drive a lorry, bus, or coach, you need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years.

Driving professionally without a Driver CPC can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

You can easily check the number of training hours you have completed in the current 5-year period.

If you drive both lorries and buses professionally, you only need to complete one set of training every 5 years.

Please note that there is a different process for those living in Northern Ireland.

It is important to complete the training in the country where you work or normally reside.

Your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification is valid for 5 years.

In order to maintain your Driver CPC, you are required to complete 35 hours of training before your 5-year deadline.

The deadline for completing your training is indicated on your card.

If you have two deadlines on your Driver CPC card, make sure to complete your training by the earliest deadline. This is particularly important if your card has separate deadlines for lorries and buses.

The next card you get will have the same deadline for both.

It is against the law to drive professionally if you have not completed your training by the deadline.
You can receive a fine of up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC.

Having ‘acquired rights’ means that you do not need to take the Driver CPC initial qualification if you have existing driving experience.

You have acquired rights if you obtained your vocational license before the dates specified in the table.

You are still required to undergo periodic training, but there are specific deadlines that you need to meet.

If you did not do your first block of training

If you haven’t completed your first block of training by the deadline, you can still finish your training by taking extra tests. This option is available to those who have acquired rights.

All approved courses for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) count towards periodic training. Each course covers a different part of the Driver CPC syllabus.

The minimum length of a training course is 7 hours. It can be completed over 2 consecutive days and can include up to 2 hours of online training before you begin.

Some non-Driver CPC courses for EU Directives related to transport can be counted towards your 35-hour requirement.

For instance, you have the option to take up to 14 hours of training for transporting dangerous goods (ADR) or up to 7 hours of training for other courses like the Transport Manager CPC (excluding refresher training).

You are allowed to retake a course only once within a 5-year period, provided you have a valid reason to do so. One example of a valid reason is if you need to maintain a dangerous goods qualification.

If you do not have a valid reason, the DVSA has the authority to revoke the hours you obtained from the course. This could potentially result in the loss of your Driver CPC card if the revocation of hours brings your total below 35 hours.

Repeating a non-Driver CPC course

During your training period, you are not allowed to repeat any non-Driver CPC courses.

However, there is one exception to this rule: training in ADR.

You have the option to take two 7-hour ADR courses within the 5-year training period.

If you choose to do this, keep in mind that you cannot consider any other non-Driver CPC courses as part of your training.

You need to bring one of these items with you to your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training course:

• a photocard driving licence
• a valid passport
• a digital tachograph card
• a Driver CPC card

You are obligated to attend courses, but there are no tests or exams that you need to pass in order to complete them. Instead, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will be given to you and cannot be kept by your employer.

Repeating a non-Driver CPC course

During your training period, you are not allowed to repeat any non-Driver CPC courses.

However, there is one exception to this rule: training in ADR.

You have the option to take two 7-hour ADR courses within the 5-year training period.

If you choose to do this, keep in mind that you cannot consider any other non-Driver CPC courses as part of your training.

You will receive your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card once you have completed 35 hours of periodic training.

This card is also known as a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’.

It is essential to carry this card when driving a lorry, bus, or coach professionally.

Failure to have your card with you while driving professionally can result in a £50 fixed penalty.

If your card is lost or stolen, it must be replaced.