Driver CPC
What is Driver CPC Training? 
Driver CPC is a certificate of professional competence which has been introduced to improve road safety and maintain high driving standards across Europe.
European Legislation states, “All professional heavy goods vehicle, bus and coach drivers must hold their Driver CPC before they can drive for a living”.
Under a European Union Directive, professional drivers of lorries over 3.5 tonnes or Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV) with 9 or more seats must usually obtain a Driver CPC in addition to a vocational driving licence.
New drivers obtain their Driver CPC by passing a series of initial qualification tests with both theory and practical sections.
This must be maintained with 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years or the certificate will lapse.
Driver CPC training for qualified drivers: How much training you need to do – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-training
Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver: Getting qualified – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Who Needs Driver CPC Training?
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.
| Vehicle categories included | When you got your vocational licence | |
| Lorry | C, C1, C+E and C1+E | Before 10 September 2009 |
| Bus or coach | D, D1, D+E, D1+E | Before 10 September 2008 |
| Bus or coach (not for hire or reward) | D(101) | After 1991 |
| Minibus (not for hire or reward) | D1(101) | Before 1997 |
Training deadlines for drivers with acquired rights.
You still need to take periodic training, but there are set deadlines.
| Lorry driver | Bus or coach driver | Dual-category driver (lorry, bus and coach) | |
| First block of training | 9 September 2014 | 9 September 2013 | 9 September 2013 |
| Second block of training | 9 September 2019 | 9 September 2018 | 9 September 2019 |
| Third block of training | 9 September 2024 | 9 September 2023 | 9 September 2024 |
Note:
If you passed your car test prior to January 1997 you will be classed as an Existing driver. This is known as “acquired rights” (LGV Only).
What Do We Offer Drivers?
Our Driver CPC instructors can offer a no-hassle structured service which will ensure that you, or your company drivers, get CPC training in the most convenient manner possible.
- Driver CPC Training from a DVSA Accredited Training Centre.
- We deliver CPC training in 7-hour modules.
- We can tailor training to your company’s specific working environment.
- We can train at your premises or at our dedicated training centre.
- Weekend courses are available for booking.
- Courses are run on a regular Monday to Friday weekly basis.
- ADR runs fortnightly or by special request which can include CPC accreditation (Maximum of 28 Hrs.)
Driver CPC Training Modules
| Course Title | Duration | Availability |
| ADR
Monday – Wednesday For full course: Inclusive Thursday Tanker Training & Friday for Exam. |
21 Hours | Classroom based |
| CDG & ADR Tanker Module Only
Thursday |
7 hours | Classroom based |
| Driver Hours and Tachographs
Monday |
7 hours | Classroom based & Online |
| Health and Safety Awareness
Tuesday |
7 hours | Classroom based & Online |
| Traffic Law & Vulnerable Road Users
Wednesday |
7 hours | Classroom based & Online |
| Emergency First Aid @ Work
Thursday |
7 hours | Classroom based Only |
| Driver Welfare Customer Care and Security
Thursday |
7 hours | Classroom based & Online |
| Bridge Strike Prevention & Fire Awareness
Friday |
7 hours | Classroom based & Online |
Price Guide
Classroom Based & Online Course Modules
| Course Title | Duration | Price | Availability |
| Driver CPC 5 Day Course
Mon – Fri |
35 Hours | £351.25 | Classroom based & Online |
| Driver Hours and Tachographs
Monday |
7 hours | £70.25 | Classroom based & Online |
| Health and Safety Awareness
Tuesday |
7 hours | £70.25 | Classroom based & Online |
| Traffic Law & Vulnerable Road Users
Wednesday |
7 hours | £70.25 | Classroom based & Online |
| Emergency First Aid @ Work
Thursday |
7 hours | £70.25 | Classroom based |
| Driver Welfare Customer Care & Security
Thursday |
7 hours | £70.25 | Classroom based & Online |
| Bridge Strike Prevention & Fire Awareness
Friday |
7 hours | £70.25 | Classroom based & Online |
Discounts apply to 10 or more candidates
Please Note : Taking a training course
You must take one of these to your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training course:
- a photocard driving licence.(LGV C1, C, C+E, or PCV D entitlement.)
- a valid passport as photo ID.
- a digital tachograph card.
- a Driver CPC card
- Passed a Module2 & 4 test (Only Applicable) if you passed your car test after the 1st January 1997.
You’re required to attend courses, but there are no tests or exams to pass at the end of them. Instead, you’ll be issued a certificate of attendance.
Your DQC will be sent to your home address on completion of your 35 hours of training.
Failure to provide Ritchie’s Training Centre with any of the above information on the day of your course will result in the DCPC hours being invalid and they will not count or be uploaded to the DVSA recording and evidence database.
