Don't miss CPC training deadline, Driver Hire Training warns HGV drivers

Richard Owen-Hughes, Driver Hire Training director warned this week that missing the deadline can not only cost HGV drivers dear but also have serious consequences for their employers.

He said: “By law, lorry bus and coach drivers must complete 35 hours of training every five years. If this deadline is missed, and you are found to be driving professionally with an expired Driver Qualification Card (DQC), you and the business you work for can both be fined £1000.

“You can also be prosecuted and be banned from driving, and your job will be at risk. There is no grace period; after the deadline, you cannot drive professionally until after the training is completed, and you may be asked to complete additional training alongside the 35 hours.

“Make sure your training is complete well before the September deadline this year to avoid these consequences.”

Owen-Hughes also advises against leaving all of the training module until the last minute, since this strategy could result in a lack of course availability and higher prices.

Those that have left it to the last minute should try to spread out the training over the next five-year period, Owen-Hughes suggests, setting reminders to complete training at regular intervals.

“Good training providers will have courses available to book for several months to come, so it would be a good idea to book your first course for the next cycle as soon as possible,” he added.

HGV drivers can also give themselves a career boost by choosing courses which help boost their skill level, increasing their value to their employers.

“Examples of courses which may help with this goal are customer service focused courses, or fuel efficient driving. Aside from your professionalism and your driving, these are skills which employers will be impressed with, and may help with your career path,” Own-Hughes said.

He also suggests drivers make the training modules less arduous by choosing those they find interesting.

“Driver CPC training is mandatory, but a day of training can still be a useful change from the routine and an engaging way to spend some time,” Owen-Hughes notes.

“Choose courses which interest you, whether that be new courses you’ve not completed before or courses on topics you don’t know as much about. All courses should be set up in a way to be engaging and insightful, but choosing the right topics for you will help you to enjoy the course, and get the most out of your driver CPC training,” he advises.

The boom in online training can also help drivers meet their training requirements, since it can be undertaken at a time that suits the driver, Owen-Hughes said.

“The feedback we receive from delegates about online training is consistently positive – most saying they would not go back to classroom courses.

“It’s quicker as there is no commute time, easy to book and allows you to connect with drivers from all across the UK. You can do all 35 hours of training from the comfort of your own home, which can make the process less stressful.”

Currently proposed changes to Driver CPC training, following an industry consultation, are before Parliament.

The current proposals include the creation of a National Driver CPC for those drivers operating in Great Britain alone and an International Driver CPC for those drivers that also drive outside of Great Britain.

Drivers needing an International entitlement will see no significant changes under the proposals – courses must be seven hours long, and drivers must complete 35 hours of training every five years.

However the proposed national Driver CPC, whilst still requiring 35 hours of training in total, will offer shorter courses of just a half day at a time (3.5 hours).

There would also be greater freedom to include e-learning as part of the qualification, and split courses would not need to be completed on consecutive days.

The proposed National Driver CPC also aims to tackle the driver shortage by making it easier for those that have left the profession to come back, with a Return to Driving module available for those whose entitlement expired less than two years ago. This would last just seven hours, followed by a further 28 hours of National or International Driver CPC training to be completed within 12 months.

“From a professionalism and road safety perspective we’ve always viewed Driver CPC as great for the industry,” said Driver Hire Training director John Keelan-Edwards.

“We also support the suggested changes, which make Driver CPC more flexible and relevant to drivers.

“We’ll be ready to provide whatever training drivers need. And, with the ongoing tight labour market for drivers, the new return to driving approach makes sense too. As for the theory test, that’s a wait and see right now.”