CPC

A Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a legal requirement for all transport managers. In fact, for applicants for an Operator's Licence (O Licence) and for transport managers, CPC is necessary proof of professional competence.

In order for transport managers to be considered 'professionally competent' they must pass a CPC exam, conducted by OCR Examinations on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT).

Organisations must ensure that a transport manager's CPC is valid and up-to-date. RoSPA's Transport Manager CPC (Road Haulage) course will ensure that Transport Managers complete their duty in a safe and efficient manner. You will be more employable and satisfy the professional competence requirements for gaining an Operators Licence.

You can use the DVSA (Driving Vehicle Standards Agency) online CPC record to check how many hours of CPC training you've completed.

If using the DVSA CPC online record for the first time you'll need your driving licence number and home postcode to hand. It's worth registering in advance, as a password will be sent by post to the registered address.

You should also check that the DVSA CPC record is correct, in particular that any driver CPC modules taken are reflected in the DCPC hours shown after 5 working days.

You can read more about 'What is CPC?' in this blog post.

This handy Driver CPC checklist gives lorry, bus and coach drivers the low-down:

• If you're new to professional driving you must get an initial DCPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification, after which you'll get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), which you must carry with you
• If you've been a lorry, bus or coach driver for a number of years you'll most probably have DCPC 'acquired rights' (check if you're eligible for DCPC 'acquired rights' here)
• In either instance, in order to keep DCPC status you need to complete 35 hours of DCPC training every five years
• The deadline for bus or coach drivers with DCPC 'acquired rights' to complete their training was 9 September 2013, and for lorry drivers it was 9 September 2014
• You will only get your DCQ once you've done this DCPC training – and you will need a photocard license
• Remember, you can be fined up to £1000 for driving professionally without DCPC
• You can check how many hours you've done in the current 5-year period
• Only approved courses taken with JAUPT approved training centres such as RoSPA's Driver CPC courses count towards training hours
• There are however some cases when drivers of large goods and passenger carrying vehicles do not need DCPC

If you've found this Driver CPC Checklist useful please forward it to colleagues.

You can also read more about 'What is CPC?' in this blog post.