FAQs

 

Frequently asked questions about Driver CPC’s with specific reference to drivers who hold PSV and HGV licences and also Acquired rights.

 

I have both PSV and HGV licences; do I need to do 2 sets of training;

You only need to complete one set of training every 5 years if you drive both lorries and buses professionally.

 

Do I have to take the same courses or can I mix and match?

You’re allowed to take the same course more than once in each 5-year period, for example you could take a first aid course in the first and last year of the 5-year period.

 

Does my boss keep the certificate?

You’ll get a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. It belongs to you - your employer is not allowed to keep it.

 

Do I need to keep my DCQ card on me?

You’ll get your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card when you’ve done 35 hours of periodic training. The card is sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’.

You must carry this card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally.

You can get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card.

 

Will my new DCQ card be sent to me?

Your Driver CPC card will be sent automatically to the address on your driving licence. You need to change this address first if it’s wrong.

 

When do I need to do more training?

Your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification lasts for 5 years. To keep your Driver CPC you need to do 35 hours of training before your 5-year deadline.

The deadline to do your training is shown on your card.

It’s up to you when you take the training courses, as long as you do them within the 5-year period.

Your next deadline will be set for 5 years after the date you finish your training.

Example Your original deadline was 9 September 2014, but you did not finish your training until 31 May 2015. The deadline for your next training is 31 May 2020. You could not drive professionally between 10 September 2014 and 30 May 2015.

 

What if my training finishes on 1st Feb and my card does not validate until after September …can I do more training between February and September?

Any training you’ve already done counts for 5 years from the date you took the course. You do not lose it because you’ve passed your deadline.

The training will not count towards the 35 hours total if you took it more than 5 years ago.

However; for safety’s sake NETT suggests leaving a month between the last course of the validated card and any further training.

 

When will I be sent my card?

You should get your new Driver CPC card straight away if you complete your training in the 12 months before your deadline.

 

What if I complete my training more than a year early

You will not get your new Driver CPC card until nearer the time your current card expires.

You can check when you’ll get your new card.

 

How will my card be sent to me?

Your Driver CPC card will be sent automatically to the address on your driving licence. You need to change this address first if it’s wrong.

 

What about Acquired rights?

Drivers with ‘acquired rights’

Having ‘acquired rights’ means that you did not have to take the Driver CPC initial qualification because of your existing driving experience.

You have acquired rights if you got your vocational licence before the dates shown in the table.

Training deadlines for drivers with acquired rights

You still need to take periodic training, but there are set deadlines.

*You have 6 years to do your second block of training if you have acquired rights for both lorries and buses and finished your first block of training by 9 September 2013.

If you did not do your first block of training

You can finish your training or take extra tests if you have acquired rights and did not finish your first block of training by the deadline.

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