Initial Driver CPC

What is Driver CPC?

Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) has been introduced across the EU to maintain high driving standards and improve road safety. All professional bus, coach and lorry drivers must hold a Driver CPC Driver Qualification Card if they want to drive one of these vehicles for a living. Example Driver Qualification Card - front

Does everyone need the Initial Driver CPC?

If you've already got a LGV/PCV licence (C1, C, CE, C1E, D, D1*, DE, and D1E*) then you have ‘acquired rights’ up until 9 September 2013 and lorry drivers have acquired rights until 9 September 2014. If you have acquired rights you will not need initial Driver CPC.

Drivers of minibuses who have an entitlement on their licence stating ‘not for hire or reward’ (Code 101) do not have acquired rights and will have to take the initial qualification should they wish to drive professionally.

Drivers with an LGV licence who want to gain the PCV licence, or drivers with an PCV licence who want to gain a LGV licence (unless they hold C1 already) WILL need to undertake the Initial Driver CPC.

Aquired rights drivers who want to continue driving professionally beyond 2013 for PCV and 2014 for LGV need regular periodic training. Click here to find out more: Wallace School of Transport Periodic Training

How will it affect me?

If you obtained your UK car licence after January 1997, you need to pass Initial Driver CPC tests to get a Driver Qualification Card which you must have to be able to drive professionally and work as a lorry, bus or coach driver on lorries of 3.5 tonnes and upwards, and/or minibuses with 9 seats or more.

Inital Driver CPC means passing a Case Study theory test and practical demonstration test which are on top of the theory tests (multiple choice and hazard perception) and practical driving test.

Once you have passed all tests, you will receive the Driver Qualification Card and you will also need to complete 35 hours periodic training over the following five years to keep your Driver CPC qualification.

A ‘Transport Manager’s CPC’ also known as the ‘Operator’s CPC or Managers CPC’ is a separate qualification that we can help you acquire if you want to operate your own fleet. Anyone holding a Transport Managers CPC who drives professionally as part of their job will still need Driver CPC.

How will the test change?

To work as a driver for a living, all bus and coach drivers have to complete all modules and LGV drivers who obtained their car licence after January 1997 (and have just category B entitlement) MUST pass all four modules (five tests) to be able drive for a living. However it is still possible to just obtain your LGV /PCV driving licence (three tests) if you don't need the licence to drive for a living.
Click here to download the Jaupt Guidance Notes.

Module 1 – Multiple Choice Questions & Hazard Perception Video Clips

One hundred multiple choice questions (the pass mark will be 85) and the 19 hazard perception video clips with 20 score-able hazards (the pass mark will be 67 out of 100). The two tests take a total of 2 ½ hours to complete, and can be taken one after the other on the same day or on a separate day and in any order.

Module 2 – Driver CPC Case Study Theory Test

This module is a computer based test and uses case studies, each one based on real-life scenarios you may encounter in your working life. It aims to test your knowledge and how you put it into practice. Written by experts from the industry, questions are based around each case study and you will be asked to answer in a number of different ways such as multiple choice answers, clicking an area on a photograph/image or by typing in a short answer.

Your test will be made up of 7 case studies, each one with 6 – 8 questions, with a possible maximum score of 50 (of which the pass mark is 40). The test takes 1½ hours to complete and can be taken at the same test centre as module 1 and arranged separately or on the same day as module 1. Module 1 and 2 can be taken in any order.

Module 3 – Practical Driving Test

You are not allowed to sit your practical driving test (module 3) unless you have passed Module 1.
During your practical on-road driving test, you will be encouraged to adopt an Eco-Safe method of driving which will be assessed by your driving examiner. Although this will not contribute to the result of the test, during the test the examiner will assess your ability to control the vehicle and plan your drive in an eco-safe manner. If you do not do so, this will be recorded on the test report form. You will be handed further information on eco-safe driving at the end of the test.

Actual on-road driving time for all rigid categories will be a minimum of 1 hour to give examiners the opportunity to assess a candidate’s driving in more varied traffic conditions and on a wider variety of roads.

Module 4 – Driver CPC Practical Demonstration Test

You are not allowed to sit your Practical Demonstration test until you have passed Module 2. Module 4 is a practical test focusing on vehicle safety.

The test consists of 5 topic areas. To pass, you need to score 15 out of a possible 20 points in each topic area (75%) and achieve an overall score of 80%.

In this ½ hour test you need to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in the areas below:

Ability to load vehicle with due regard for safety rules & proper vehicle use
Security of the vehicle and contents
Ability to prevent criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants
Ability to assess emergency situations
Ability to prevent physical risk
Demonstrate your ability through a physical walk round vehicle safety check

LGV drivers are also asked to demonstrate your ability to secure loads on a specially designed frame (see above). We have an exact duplicate of the examiners test equipment for you to learn and practice.

We also provide Initial Driver CPC training for clients who have passed their test elsewhere (maybe outside the UK)

Beware - Some providers do not offer Initial Driver CPC training. Some don't even mention you're going to need a Driver Qualification Card before you can start work as a vocational driver or tell you the extra charges involved!

Can I take the modules in any order?

You must pass Module 1 before you take Module 3 and you must pass Module 2 before you take Module 4.
However, if you are not going to be driving for a living, you will only need to pass Modules 1 & 3. If later you change your mind and want to drive for a living you will need to pass Modules 2 & 4.

How will I prove I hold Driver CPC?

After you have passed all 4 modules, you will be sent a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which is issued without charge. See example above.

Your DQC is sent to the address on your driving licence. So keep your details up to date with DVLA. You must carry your DQC whilst driving and there will be penalties if you are found to be driving professionally without one. If your DQC has been lost, stolen or damaged click here to find out what you must do [Report it to the DSA within 7 days and apply for a replacement card. There will be a fee to replace and issue new cards. To report your DQC card lost, stolen or damaged contact: Email customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk (putting ‘DQC Enquiry’ in the subject field) or telephone 0300 200 1122. Once you have reported it, you will be able to drive for up to 15 days without a card while a replacement is sent to you. NB: if your card has been lost or stolen you must inform your employer.]

Once I've passed my initial qualification, is that it?

No. Your Initial Driver CPC lasts for five years. To renew your Driver Qualification Card you will need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years, before the expiry date to continue to drive professionally. Wallace School of Transport is an accredited provider of Periodic Training and we offer discount rates to our existing customers.

However, if you are gaining a LGV C1 licence to become an ambulance technician or paramedic, once you have completed your blue light training you won't need to undertake Driver CPC Periodic Training or gain a DQC (unless you decide to take up C1 driving as a vocation).

Are there any special concessions or exemptions?

There are exemptions from the Driver CPC for drivers of vehicles:

used for the non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use
undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or new or rebuilt vehicles not yet put into service
used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or Driver CPC
carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his or her work, provided that driving the vehicle does not constitute the driver’s principal activity
with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45km/h
used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service, and forces responsible for maintaining public order, which includes ambulance technicians and paramedics after they have completed their blue light training
used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions.