Driver CPC Changes in 2024 and 2025

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a professional driving qualification required for heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus, or coach drivers. In 2023, the government consulted on making changes to Driver CPC to make it more flexible for people who only drive in the UK. These changes are subject to Parliamentary approval and are set to be introduced across 2024 and 2025.

One of the changes to be initiated is the split of Driver Certificate of Professional Competence into two mechanisms – International and National.

International Driver CPC will be the new name for how the current DCPC works and will permit the holder to drive in the UK and the EU. The National Driver CPC, however, will only allow the holder to drive within the UK.

Changes to the National Driver CPC Training

The National Driver CPC can be renewed in two ways – by either completing 35 hours of National Driver CPC training, or through a combination of both National and International tuition. In either case, the training must be completed every five years.

Changes have also been made to the delivery of the new National DCPC courses –

• Courses must be at least 3 hours 30 minutes long.
• When courses are split, there will no longer be a requirement for the individual sessions to be completed on consecutive days. Course providers can set their own time limits.
• E-learning courses will be acceptable for National DCPC
• 12 hours of e-learning will be permitted towards the overall 35 hours of training.

Driver CPC changes in 2025 for returning professional drivers.

In 2025, changes will be made to how individuals returning to vocational driving regain a CPC.

In circumstances where a CPC qualification has been expired for between 60 days and two years, 3 options will be available to return to the driving labour market.

• Obtain an International Driver CPC by following the process that is currently in place and have the option to drive within the UK and the EU.
• Undertake a new 7 hour ‘Return to Driving’ training module which will allow you to start driving in the UK again. Follow this up with 28 hours worth of international training (within a 12 month period) and hold the qualification to drive in the EU too.
• Complete the 7 hour ‘Return to Driving’ training module and start driving professionally in the UK. Complete a further 28 hours of National or International CPC training to continue driving professionally.

These changes aim to make the Driver CPC more flexible for drivers in the UK, while still maintaining the high standards of professional driving.

New pass drivers

All new pass drivers will automatically hold an International Driver CPC for their first 5 years. Following on from that a decision can be made whether to continue the training to hold the International permit or undertake the National Driver CPC training to just drive professionally within the UK.

If you want further information regarding these changes, take a look at the government website by clicking here

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