A new qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers - the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) - comes into effect on 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers and 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers. All professional LGV and PCV (lorry and bus) drivers will be affected by this EU requirement to hold a Driver CPC.

EU Directive 2003/59 requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence. The main aim behind Driver CPC is to improve road safety; providing better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties. Driver CPC also aims to bring an improved professional and positive image to the industries, attracting more people to drive buses, coaches and lorries for a living. It is aimed not only at improving the knowledge and skills of LGV and PCV drivers when they first start work, but also ensuring those skills are maintained and developed throughout the driver’s working life.


For new drivers it introduces a new initial qualification which increases the amount of knowledge that drivers need before they can drive. The initial qualification includes a four hour theory test and a two hour driving practical test, when combined with the current licence acquisition tests.


All drivers, new and existing, will then have to undertake 35 hours of training every five years to ensure that their Driver CPC is current. This is known as Periodic Training. Periodic Training is designed to confirm and expand on the existing knowledge and skills of each driver to ensure that they continue to be safe, courteous and fuel efficient drivers. This will also enable driver to keep up-to-date with ever changing regulations and to benefit from training throughout their whole career.


All existing professional PCV drivers who hold a full, valid category D, D1, D+E or D1+E licence at 10 September 2008 will need to complete the 35 hours of Periodic Training by the 10 September 2013, unless they are exempt. After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five year period in order to retain their Driver CPC. Existing PCV drivers are known as 'Acquired Rights' drivers i.e. drivers who already hold a full vocational licence to drive buses and coaches prior to 10 September 2008.


Drivers who hold a D1 (minibus) entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre 1997 are not classed as acquired rights drivers and will therefore need to complete the initial qualification.


All existing professional LGV drivers who hold a full, valid category C, C1, C+E or C1+E licence at 10 September 2009 will need to complete the 35 hours of periodic training by the 10 September 2014, unless they are exempt. This also includes driver who hold C1 entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre 1997. After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five year period in order to retain their Driver CPC. Existing LGV drivers are known as 'Acquired Rights' drivers i.e. drivers who already hold a full vocational licence to drive lorries prior to 10 September 2009.


Drivers who hold a D1 (minibus) entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre 1997 are not classed as acquired rights drivers and will therefore need to complete the initial qualification.