Changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (“CPC”), which introduce a new National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC, have taken effect today (3 December 2024).

International Driver CPC

This is the new name for the Driver CPC as it existed prior to 3 December 2024, and it remains unchanged. If drivers drive internationally, or undertake a mix of UK and EU work, they will need to obtain the International Driver CPC by completing 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. Courses must be at least 7 hours long (or split into 2 x 3.5 hours courses delivered over two consecutive days) and drivers can complete 12 hours of e-learning towards the overall 35 hours of training.

National Driver CPC

The reforms that take effect today introduce a new National Driver CPC, which is a more flexible version of the Driver CPC, but which covers drivers for driving in the UK only.

If drivers only want to drive in the UK, they can now complete:

1. 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every 5 years; or
2. 35 hours of combined National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC training every 5 years.

National Driver CPC courses:

• Must be at least 3.5 hours long (they can be longer but, unlike the International Driver CPC, do not need to be at least 7 hours long and do not need to be completed on two consecutive days where a course is split); and
• Can consist of e-learning only (drivers can complete an approved 3 hours 30 minutes long e-learning course but, like the International Driver CPC, e-learning can make up a total of only 12 of the overall 35 hours of required training).

Over 200 National Driver CPC training course have been approved and added to the list of available Driver CPC training courses (which can be accessed here: Home | JAUPT).

Returning to Professional Driving

At present, if a driver’s Driver CPC has expired and they wish to return to professional driving, they must complete 35 hours of periodic training before they can start driving again.  This will change from 1 February 2025 as part of the measures intended to speed up the process for drivers returning to the industry.

From 1 February 2025, if a driver’s Driver CPC has been expired between 60 days and 2 years, you will have the following 4 options for returning to professional driving:

1. Obtain the International Driver CPC (as outlined above) to drive in the UK and EU.
2. Obtain the National Driver CPC (as outlined above) to drive in the UK only.
3. Obtain the International Driver CPC with a ‘return to driving’ module, which requires the completion of a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ training module that will enable drivers to start driving professionally again in the UK;  drivers must then complete 28 hours of other International Driver CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module to be able to start driving in the EU again.
4. Obtain the National Driver CPC with a ‘return to driving’ module, which requires the completion of a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ training module that will enable drivers to start driving professionally again in the UK; drivers must then complete 28 hours of National Driver CPC or International Driver CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module.

Options 3 and 4 will not be available to drivers whose Driver CPC expired more than 2 years ago - they will still need to either obtain the International or National Driver CPC by completing 35 hours of the relevant qualifying training before they can drive again.

Operators’ Systems

Operators must have appropriate systems and procedures in place to ensure drivers hold a valid Driver CPC and (following the changes) that the category of Driver CPC held is appropriate for the type of work being undertaken – this system will be checked during any DVSA investigation. 

The consequences of a driver driving when they do not hold a valid and/or appropriate Driver CPC include criminal prosecution of both the driver and operator (with a potential maximum £1,000 fine upon conviction), DVSA investigations and public inquiries and driver conduct hearings before the Traffic Commissioner with the risk of action against Operator’s Licences and drivers’ vocational entitlements.

Operators should therefore review their existing systems and procedures for monitoring Driver CPC to ensure that: (i) new drivers’ Driver CPCs are checked – and valid - at the recruitment stage; (ii) temporary drivers’ Driver CPCs are checked – and valid - at the outset of any assignment; (iii) Driver CPC training being undertaken by drivers is appropriate to the category of Driver CPC held or sought; and (iv) the category of Driver CPC held by drivers is monitored/reviewed on an ongoing basis, particularly if an operator takes on new/different work that involves any international driving. 

Operators should note that the Driver CPC Qualification card for the International Driver CPC will look the same as the current Driver CPC Qualification card; however, the new National Driver CPC Qualification card will include the text ‘DOMESTIC UK USE ONLY’ on the front.

The full guidance on the Driver CPC reforms can be found here: Driver CPC: changes in 2024 and 2025 - GOV.UK.