Hundreds of HGV drivers are in danger of driving illegally after technical problems at DVSA prevented drivers' training records from being uploaded ahead of the Driver CPC deadline, which kicks in at midnight today (9 September 2019).

JAUPT approved trainers trying to upload drivers’ training records onto the DVSA’s Online Driver Enquiry service (ODE) ahead of the deadline have been told by DVSA that the technical problems will not be resolved by tonight’s deadline.

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.

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This is the second time in two weeks that the DVSA website has been hit with technical problems. Last week DVSA said the technical glitch had been solved but trainers reported today the problem is back.

Sharon Daley, director of training provider Sigma Studies told MT: "We have around 30 courses with about 20 candidates on each course and we have been trying to upload the records ahead of the deadline today but the system is down.

"We contacted DVSA and were told by staff it is the drivers’ fault for leaving it so late – but they have not missed their deadline and it is not our fault the system is down.

"Earlier today we were told to ring back every hour to check with them but I have just been told by a DVSA manager that it won’t be resolved for the rest of the day."

"It's chaos. We cannot physically contact what is potentially 600 drivers to tell them their records have not been updated and that if they drive tomorrow they will be driving illegally.

"We took on extra staff to deal with the last minute rush but DVSA has let us down.”

DVSA has yet to respond to requests for comment.

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