Driver CPC:

Changes in 2024 and 2025

What You Need to Know

Zed Aziz

Hey there, professional drivers! Exciting changes are coming your way regarding the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), and as your trusted transport consultant, I’m here to break it all down for you. Let's dive into what you can expect and how these changes will make your life easier.

Overview

First off, let’s clear the air – Driver CPC is not being scrapped! But starting in December 2024 and February 2025, there are some new, flexible options designed especially for those who drive only within the UK. The government believes these changes will improve the quality and relevance of the training and make it more flexible for UK drivers. Let's explore how these objectives might be achieved (or not).

Key Changes

Staying Qualified From December 3, 2024, you’ll have two options to stay qualified as a professional driver:

International Driver CPC
National Driver CPC

International Driver CPC

The International Driver CPC is the classic version you’re used to. It still requires 35 hours of training every five years to keep you on the road in both the EU and the UK. The rules haven’t changed:

Courses must be at least seven hours long.
Split courses need to be done on consecutive days.
You can do up to 12 hours of your training online.

National Driver CPC

Now, here’s where it gets interesting! If you’re sticking to UK roads, the National Driver CPC is your new best friend. It offers more flexibility:

Courses can be as short as 3 hours and 30 minutes (but can be longer if you prefer).
Split courses don’t have to be on consecutive days.
You can do the entire course online, from the comfort of your home or workplace.

Summary of Options to Stay Qualified

Starting December 3, 2024, you have two choices:

International Driver CPC: 35 hours of training every five years for driving in the UK and EU.
National Driver CPC: 35 hours of training every five years, or a mix of National and International training, for driving in the UK.

Getting Qualified - When you first pass your qualifying tests, you’ll automatically get the International Driver CPC for the first five years. This means you can drive anywhere in the UK and the EU. After that, it’s up to you to choose the type of periodic training that suits your driving needs.
Returning to Professional Driving - If you’ve taken a break and your CPC has expired, there’s good news! From February 1, 2025, there are new ways to get back on the road.

If Your CPC Expired Up to Two Years Ago

You now have four options if your CPC expired between 60 days and two years:

1. International Driver CPC Training

· Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training.
· Get back to driving professionally in the UK and EU.

2. National Driver CPC Training

· Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC training.
· Return to driving in the UK.

3. International Driver CPC with a ‘Return to Driving’ Module

· Take a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module.
· Start driving in the UK.
· Complete 28 hours of additional training within 12 months to drive in the EU.

4. National Driver CPC with a ‘Return to Driving’ Module

· Take a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module.
· Start driving in the UK.
· Complete an additional 28 hours of National or International training within 12 months.

If Your CPC Expired More Than Two Years Ago

If your CPC expired more than two years ago, the requirements remain the same:

Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training to drive in the UK and EU.
Take 35 hours of National or a combination of National and International training to drive in the UK.

Driver CPC Cards

You still need to carry your Driver CPC card while driving professionally. From December 3, 2024, you’ll receive different cards based on your chosen CPC type. After passing the initial tests, you’ll get an International Driver CPC card. You can also hold both types of cards if you’re qualified to drive both HGVs and buses or coaches.

The Department of Transport's Objectives: Will They Be Achieved?

The government’s goal with these changes is:

To improve the quality and relevance of the training while making it more flexible for UK drivers

Here’s how they hope to achieve this – and where there might be some challenges.

Improving Quality and Relevance

More Tailored Training: By allowing drivers to choose between National and International CPC, the training can be more relevant to your actual driving needs. If you’re only driving in the UK, the National CPC might focus more on domestic regulations and best practices.
Focused Content: Shorter, more frequent courses can allow training providers to cover specific topics in more depth, making the training more engaging and applicable to your daily driving experiences.

Flexibility for UK Drivers

Convenient Scheduling: The National Driver CPC offers the flexibility to take courses as short as 3 hours and 30 minutes and complete them at your own pace. This is great for fitting training around your busy schedule.
E-learning Options: The option to do up to 12 hours of training online means you can learn from anywhere, saving you travel time and costs.

Potential Challenges

Consistency in Training Quality: With shorter and more flexible courses, there’s a risk that the quality of training might vary between providers. Ensuring that all training meets high standards will be crucial.
E-learning Effectiveness: While online courses are convenient, they may not always be as interactive or hands-on as in-person training. It’s important that e-learning modules are engaging and effectively cover the necessary material.

Stay ahead of the game and choose the option that best fits your driving needs. Whether you’re hitting the open road across Europe or sticking to UK routes, these changes aim to make your professional life smoother and more flexible.

Drive safe and stay compliant, folks! If you have any questions or need further advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy & Safe driving!