As the latest Driver CPC deadline looms, the DVSA insisted this week that technical problems with its website will not delay drivers receiving their DQC cards.
The technical glitch, which arose last week, prevented JAUPT approved trainers uploading drivers’ periodic training records onto the DVSA’s Online Driver Enquiry service (ODE).
The issue also prevented some drivers from checking how many hours of periodic training they have completed.
The DVSA said this week that the technical problem has been fixed. However the issue has created a backlog just days before the next Driver CPC five-year deadline kicks in on 9 September for thousands of HGV drivers.
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If drivers miss their deadline, their Driver Qualification Card (DQC) will expire and they cannot drive professionally until they can prove they have completed their 35 hours of periodic training. Failure to produce a valid DQC can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
The DVSA has assured HGV drivers that the backlog will be resolved before the 9 September deadline.
In a statement to drivers the DVSA said: “Last Thursday (29 August) we let you know the Online Driver Enquiry service (ODE) was not available and we were working to fix it.
"The system has now been fixed. You will be able to log in and see how many hours of periodic training you've completed."
It added: “Training providers are now able to upload training records from the past week. They are likely to have a backlog of records to upload, so any training you completed last week may not show on ODE immediately.
"We expect these records to be up to date in the next couple of days.”
In the same week a survey of 200 operators commissioned by Fleet Source revealed that almost a third of drivers still needed to complete their mandatory 35 hours of training.
“The majority of transport managers who responded to our survey - some 71% - said their contracted drivers had already completed their 35 hours, which is good news, but the deadline is fast looming for those drivers who still need to complete their training,” said Nick Caesari, chief executive of Fleet Source.
“The bigger picture is that there is a clear concern in the industry that there will be a shortfall in CPC-compliant drivers after 9 September.Some two thirds of fleet professionals who responded to our survey, rightly said that it was drivers’ responsibility to complete the required training, but employers also know that they must ensure that their contracted drivers are compliant.”
