The Three Essential Cards Every PSV & HGV Driver Must Carry

(And How Fleet Transport Consultants Can Help You Stay Compliant)

Andre Renner

With over 20 years of experience in transport management, I’ve seen how crucial it is for operators to stay on top of compliance in the ever-evolving world of PSV (Passenger Service Vehicle) and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) operations. Ensuring that drivers carry the right documentation—driving licences, Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) cards, and tachograph cards—isn’t just a legal obligation, but a fundamental part of maintaining a safe and efficient fleet.

At Fleet Transport Consultants (FTC), we understand the complexities operators face in managing these responsibilities. To help, we offer a comprehensive bulk driver licence, tachograph card, and CPC card check service that provides operators with a clear, actionable overview of their drivers’ compliance status. Let’s break down the importance of each card and explain how our service can give operators peace of mind.

1. Driving Licence

The driving licence is a cornerstone of a driver’s legal ability to operate their vehicle, particularly for those driving large, specialist vehicles like PSVs or HGVs. In addition to confirming the appropriate category (Category D for PSV and Category C for HGV), the licence also indicates the driver’s medical fitness and any endorsements.

Understanding the Driving Licence Number:

The UK driving licence number contains key information about the licence holder. It's structured as follows:

• First five characters: The first five letters of the driver's surname (or fewer, padded with 9s).

• Next six characters: Encodes the driver's date of birth and gender. For example, for female drivers, 50 is added to the month of birth.

• Following characters: Initials of the driver’s first and middle names, plus unique identifier numbers.

Operators must regularly check that the licence is valid, contains the correct vehicle categories, and reflects the driver’s current medical status.

How FTC Helps:

Our bulk licence check service ensures that all your drivers’ licences are reviewed systematically, alerting you to any changes in status. By accessing our dedicated dashboard, operators can see the status of each driver at a glance, with each licence categorised as Red, Amber, or Green (RAG). This risk assessment feature highlights any issues, allowing operators to act promptly and ensure compliance.

2. Driver CPC Card (Certificate of Professional Competence)

The Driver CPC card is a legal requirement for all professional PSV and HGV drivers, demonstrating that they have completed the necessary training to drive safely and efficiently. Every five years, drivers must undergo 35 hours of periodic training to maintain their CPC qualification.

Our Training Recommendation for Drivers and Operators:

At FTC, we strongly recommend that drivers spread out their CPC training by attending at least one mandatory 7-hour session each year. This not only ensures steady progress towards the 35-hour requirement but also helps drivers remain continuously updated on safety practices and regulatory changes.

We also advise operators to support their drivers by offering paid time off to attend these CPC sessions, and to cover the cost of the training itself. In addition, operators should play an active role in selecting the training modules, ensuring that the content directly benefits both the drivers and the business. Tailored training allows operators to address specific skills or knowledge gaps, ensuring that the training aligns with operational needs and compliance requirements.

How FTC Helps:

Our service allows you to monitor when your drivers' CPC cards are due for renewal, ensuring that drivers are up to date with their training requirements. The RAG system flags drivers nearing their CPC expiry date in Amber, while those whose CPC is expired or at immediate risk are marked in Red. This enables proactive planning, so no driver is ever out of compliance due to expired CPC qualifications.

3. Tachograph Card

The tachograph card is essential for recording drivers' hours, rest periods, and breaks in compliance with EU Drivers' Hours regulations. This data helps to ensure that drivers are not working excessive hours, which could lead to fatigue—a major safety risk.

How FTC Helps:

With FTC’s tachograph card check service, operators can easily download, store, and analyse tachograph data. Our dashboard categorises drivers based on compliance with working hours and breaks, giving operators immediate insights into which drivers are following the rules and which are at risk of violations.

The RAG system makes it simple to prioritise action: Green means everything is in order, Amber indicates approaching issues (such as upcoming rest period violations), and Red highlights urgent breaches or failures that require immediate attention.

The Importance of Operator Vigilance

While drivers are responsible for carrying and maintaining these documents, operators have a legal obligation to ensure compliance under the terms of their Operator’s Licence. Failing to do so can result in heavy fines, reputational damage, and even the suspension of operating licences.

That’s why regular, systematic checks of driving licences, CPC cards, and tachograph data are vital. The consequences of overlooking compliance can be severe, from regulatory action to fleet disruption due to non-compliant drivers.

How FTC’s Dashboard & RAG System Brings Peace of Mind

At Fleet Transport Consultants, we provide a powerful, user-friendly dashboard that allows operators to view all their drivers’ information in one place. Our system gives you:

• Real-time updates: Immediate visibility of each driver’s licence, CPC card, and tachograph status.

• RAG risk assessment: Easy-to-understand colour coding—Red, Amber, and Green—to highlight high-risk, moderate-risk, and compliant drivers.

• Proactive alerts: Automated notifications when licences, CPC cards, or tachograph data need attention, helping you stay compliant without the stress of manual tracking.

This system enables you to assess the risk of each driver quickly and efficiently, ensuring your fleet operates within legal limits. Whether you manage a small team or a large fleet, our service simplifies compliance, so you can focus on running your business.

Stay Compliant with Fleet Transport Consultants

At FTC, we know how challenging it can be to manage driver compliance across a busy fleet. Our comprehensive driver licence, CPC card, and tachograph card check service takes the pressure off operators, offering a streamlined solution that ensures your drivers are fully compliant and your business stays protected from legal risks.

For more information about how our service can benefit your operation, visit Fleet Transport Consultants’ Driver Licence Checks and discover how our dashboard can help you manage compliance with ease.