Freight distributor Pall-Ex Group has launched an in-house Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training course for both its members and UK HGV drivers in general.

The RTITB approved course, which is being held at Pall-Ex's central Leicestershire base, as well as online for groups of up to 16 people, is managed by Craig Brown (pictured), a fully qualified trainer from Pall-Ex with 25 years of driver training experience.

The course, which is tailored to the requirements of each depot or group of drivers attending, is made up of two modules, which can be completed over eight hours in one day. There is an element of online training, but the bulk is done in person with a qualified trainer, or remotely.

The sessions are held on a Saturday to avoid disrupting drivers working patterns. Those attending the course need to provide a photocard driving licence, a valid passport, a digital tachograph card, or a Driver CPC card.

Each driver receives a certificate of attendance upon completing the course, and there are no exams or tests during the session. All paperwork is completed by Pall-Ex, who will add the training session to each attendee’s Driver CPC training record within a few days of attending the course.

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Pall-Ex said courses have already commenced, with slots for the remainder of the year filling up fast.

Joe Murfitt, Pall-Ex’s central hub manager, who is organising the training, said: “Road safety is paramount to all commercial drivers and Pall-Ex is committed to helping keep standards high.

"By offering this training we are ensuring that commercial drivers in the Leicestershire area, and nationally, are qualified and therefore can legally drive on the UK’s road network.”

He added: “There is a real appetite amongst our members for the CPC training as they trust Pall-Ex's expertise and have welcomed the opportunity to upskill at their own depot.

"Feedback on the first session has been positive, and longer term we are looking to train more of our driver instructors to deliver the CPC qualification.”

HGV drivers need to maintain the CPC qualification by undertaking 35 hours of periodic training every five years.

All drivers with a Category C or D licence are required to complete the training, with fines of up to £1,000 for those who drive without it or do not renew their training.

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