The Freight Transport Association has warned that there will be no last minute reprieve with six months to go until the deadline for completion of driver CPC training for passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs).

James Firth, FTA's head of road freight and enforcement policy said: "This is a reality which is not going to go away.  If the required 35 hours of Driver CPC training is not completed before the 10 September deadline, Traffic Commissioners will take action against vocational drivers and the operators who allow them to drive illegally.

"If there is a last minute rush to book courses, it is the quality training which will be squeezed first, so we advise companies to book now in order to make sure their drivers receive the best possible training."

To help operators choose the best courses, FTA has issued its top tips on what to look out for when choosing a training provider.

Apart from ensuring that the course provider and the course content are approved by the Joint Approval Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT), FTA recommends that companies should ask seven additional questions to ensure they and their drivers get the most from a Driver CPC course:
• Is there a post-course test?
• Are trainers qualified to teach?
• Does the provider know the industry?
• Is the provider experienced and credible?
• Is the syllabus relevant and useful?
• Does the course format hold drivers' attention?
• Will they get the admin right?

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