As a professional HGV driver, you’ll appreciate that ongoing driver CPC training isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a foundation of knowledge that sees you through your career. Many experienced drivers, however, find themselves falling behind with their periodic training. It can be stressful and disruptive so it’s something that’s best avoided if at all possible. This might be easier said than done when life gets in the way though!
Whether finding yourself behind schedule is down to work pressures, family commitments, or simply losing track of time, you’re not alone. The good news is that getting back on track with your periodic CPC training is entirely manageable with the right approach and support.
At HGV Training, we’ve gathered together our essential tips for maintaining your driver CPC qualification now and into the future.
Why does periodic CPC exist?
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a legal requirement for all professional HGV drivers in the UK. Over the course of every very five years, you must complete 35 hours of periodic training to maintain your qualification and keep your Driver Qualification Card (DQC) valid.
First brought in as part of EU regulation, the periodic CPC still exists even after Brexit. We’ve talked about that here. Essentially, it’s a structured way to make sure that all drivers have up to date knowledge of evolving aspects of the industry. These include:
- Changes in transport legislation
- Vehicle technology developments
- Best practice safety procedures
- Environmental considerations
- Professional driving standards
The 35 hours breaks down to an average of 7 hours per year, which can be completed through training modules offered by JAPUT approved providers. We’ll look at those in more detail later.
What happens if your CPC lapses?
If your Driver CPC has expired, or lapsed, you won’t be able to drive professionally until you complete the required training. Driving professionally with an expired CPC can result in fines of up to £1,000 and employers can’t legally contract you to drive commercial vehicles.
Recent changes to CPC regulations have meant that managing CPC lapses is much more flexible. If your CPC expired between 60 days and 2 years ago, you now have several options:
- The full 35-hour programme: You can simply complete the full 35 hours of periodic training. Once you’ve finished, you can resume professional driving immediately, and your new five-year cycle will begin from that completion date.
- The “Return to Driving” module: This is a particularly useful option for those who need to get back to work quickly. You can complete a specialised 7 hour “return to driving” training module. Once this is done, you can start driving professionally again immediately, but you must complete the remaining 28 hours within 12 months. It’s a more manageable timeframe that allows you to keep earning.
- National / International CPC: If you only drive within the UK, you can now choose to complete a National Driver CPC, which may offer more flexible training options. If you drive in the EU, you will need to complete the International Driver CPC to maintain your European driving rights.
The ‘return to driving’ option is particularly useful for drivers who need to start earning again quickly while spreading the remaining training over a more manageable timeframe.
Remember that if your CPC expired over two years ago, you’ll need to complete the full 35 hours of CPC training before you can return to professional driving.
Essential tips to stay on track
So, how can you ensure you never fall behind with your CPC training again? At HGV Training, we work with driving schools who regularly help drivers get back on track, so can offer these insights to help you to stay organised.
1. Create a training schedule
- Mark your CPC expiry date in your calendar
- Schedule training sessions at least 6 months before your deadline
- Spread training throughout the five-year period rather than leaving it to the last minute
2. Use reminder tools
- A phone reminder or calendar alert is easy to set up
- Ask your training provider about reminder services
- Join professional driver forums that share CPC deadline reminders
3. Budget for training
- Set aside money each month for your CPC requirements
- Factor training costs into your annual financial planning
- Look for early booking discounts from training providers
- Compare quotes easily with HGV Training
4. Track your progress
- Keep records of all completed training modules
- Records will help you to balance different areas of learning from – Safety and Vehicle Checks, Legal and Regulatory Updates, Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Awareness, Health, Safety and Security, Customer Service and Professionalism.
- Use the DVSA’s online checking service regularly
- Maintain a training log with certificates and dates
5. Choose flexible training options
- Select providers that offer weekend or evening sessions
- Consider online training modules for convenience – up to 12 online hours can count towards your 35 hour total
- A national training school can help to link you with classroom based training that’s nearby and accessible.
6. Make it relevant
- Choose training modules that relate to your specific driving role
- Reflect whether there are topics which you feel less confident on or have specific interest in. For example – load securing techniques, Tachograph requirements, Transport legislation changes, Eco-driving techniques, Driver health and fitness, Communication skills, or Conflict resolution.
- Look for courses that will develop your career prospects
- Select training that covers new technologies or regulations in your sector
Compare your quotes
At HGV Training, we understand that managing your CPC requirements alongside a demanding driving career can be challenging. It’s our mission to simplify processes and get the best deals and highest quality service for drivers across the UK. When you contact our advisers, we’ll be able to supply you with a selection of quotes from established HGV training schools, who can quickly give you the support that you need. We’ll help you to find the right supplier and forge an ongoing relationship with a training school that means your CPC won’t lapse again.
So if your CPC has already lapsed, or is close to expiring, avoid trawling the internet and waiting for quotes by taking advantage of the service at HGV Training. Get your quotes today.
