The CPC deadline is fast approaching for companies that operate heavy and light goods vehicles. Professional drivers are reminded to complete their mandatory training and renew their CPC licences, says Licence Check.

The Derby-based company offers fleet licence checking and compliance services. However, the current training period ends on 9th September. Drivers must have completed 35 hours of training to be issued with a new Driver Qualification Card (DQC) to prove they are CPC-qualified.

Failure to do so will mean the driver is no longer legally permitted to drive an HGV or LGV professionally from that date. The training renewal is applicable to those drivers whose usual activity of professional driving is ‘in-scope’ and covered by the legislation. 

Terry Hiles, general manager at Licence Check, said: “All professional drivers, including HGV/LGV and PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicles) drivers who are in-scope, need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years on an ongoing basis to keep driving for a living. 

“As the deadline for the next period of CPC training approaches in September, there is set to be an influx of professional drivers whose existing CPC cards are due to expire and must complete their mandatory training by this date.”

“If these drivers are actively driving for your business, a re-check should be carried out the moment the card expires to ensure a new CPC card has been issued and the driver continues to be permitted to drive professionally.”

The CPC was introduced in 2009 for lorry drivers, and in 2008 for bus and coach drivers. This was part of a European scheme with the intention of improving road safety and improving driving standards.

The check must be completed every five years. This means the September 2019 deadline is only the second for drivers since its launch in 2014. 664,000 drivers completed their training by the deadline from an estimated 675,000 drivers.

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