Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence

For ease this is usually shortened to Drivers CPC or DCPC. This applies to all pcv [passenger carrying vehicle] drivers, driving minibuses with 9 seats or large passenger vehicles and all lgv [goods vehicle drivers], driving lorries from 3.5 tonne upwards. From Europe it is a scheme to ensure that all professional drivers are able to achieve higher standards of driving. Through their extended knowledge drivers will be able to drive more considerately and safely.

The benefits are likely to include, less vehicle mechanical damage, fuel savings and less environmental effects of vehicle usage. Essentially, therefore, drivers who have the enhanced skills will be the ambassadors of the industry fully conversant with all current legislation, requirements for less-able passengers and so on. Lorry drivers will have enhanced health and safety knowledge.

DCPC is in two basic parts.

Prospective new drivers will have to study more to ensure they have all the knowledge required to pass their driving tests. Parts [referred to as Modules].

• Part1 and 1A involve the Multiple Choice Test and Hazard Perception Test.
• Part 2 involves “Case Study Scenarios”, questions based on a drivers’wider knowledge of vehicles, driving techniques and environmental concerns.
• Part 3 is the actual drive, a demonstration of the trainees’ ability to drive the vehicle safely.
• Part 4, concludes the whole process and asks for practical demonstrations of the knowledge gained throughout the training course.

Drivers with currently valid vocational licences will not need to take Parts 2 or 4. However, all drivers who drive any pcv [passenger carrying vehicles], for what is referred to as “Hire and Reward”, [there are very few exceptions], will now have to undertake sessions of PERIODIC TRAINING. These can be done over the five year period, commencing September 2008, but completed by September 2013 to ensure their licence to drive remains valid.

ZENITH will be able to offer a selection of suitable courses to satisfy the requirements of the PERIODIC TRAINING. For lgv [goods vehicle drivers] the five year period commences September 2009, to be completed by September 2014.

Driver CPC is valid for five years. New drivers who have qualified via the initial qualification route will receive a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), which they can show as proof that they hold Driver CPC. Existing drivers will receive their DQC when they have completed their 35 hours of periodic training.