Driver CPC: how to get and keep it :Cross Stitch – Motoring

If you are a professional bus, coach or lorry driver you must have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). Find out how to get your Driver CPC if you are new to driving professionally and what rules apply if you are an existing driver.

You must do 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep your Driver CPC

Periodic training involves attending courses on various aspects of professional driving. You must do 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep your Driver CPC.

Only approved courses taken with approved training centres will count towards periodic training.

If you drive both lorries and buses professionally

You only need to complete one set of training every five years if you have a passenger carrying vehicle and a large goods vehicle licence.

If you are an existing professional driver, you will have gained valuable experience in your work. You will have ‘acquired rights’ for five years, meaning that you will be deemed to have Driver CPC. This applies to you if you are a:

  • bus or coach driver and got your vocational licence (D, D1, D+E and D1+E) before 10 September 2023
  • lorry driver and got your vocational licence (C, C1, C+E and C1+E) before 10 September 2023

If you have ‘acquired rights’ you don’t need to pass the initial qualification. However, you must complete 35 hours of periodic training to keep your Driver CPC.

An example of a DQC

After you have passed the initial qualification you’ll get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC).

It’s unlawful to drive professionally without having your DQC.

Driver CPC is enforced in all European Union (EU) member states.

If you are driving professionally in another EU country, you must still have a valid Driver CPC.

You don’t need Driver CPC if you are driving a vehicle for non-commerical carriage of passengers or goods for personal use

You might not need Driver CPC. Whether you need it or not will depend on:

  • the vehicle you drive
  • what the vehicle is being used for

Vehicles you can drive where you don’t need Driver CPC

You won’t need Driver CPC if the vehicle you drive is:

  • being road tested after repair, maintenance or technical development
  • new or rebuilt and hasn’t yet been put into service
  • limited to a top speed of no more than 28 miles per hour (45 kilometres per hour)

Vehicle uses where you don’t need Driver CPC

You won’t need Driver CPC if the vehicle you drive is:

  • used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use
  • used to carry material or equipment that you use for your job – but driving the vehicle can’t be the main part of your job
  • used for driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC
  • used by, or is under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order
  • used in states of emergency or for rescue missions