Three-quarters of drivers have not completed CPC training required by 2019, finds Fleet Source

Only one-quarter of drivers have completed the full 35 hours CPC training required of them by 2019, research from Fleet Source has found.

The survey by the training provider for the road transport industry, also discovered nearly half of drivers (49%) are still at least 14 hours short.

Nick Caesari, managing director at Fleet Source, said: “Commercial drivers are required to do 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

‟Driver CPC is the standard applied to initial driver training and career-long continuing education.

"If drivers fail to complete their 35 hours CPC training and they are driving professionally, then they can be fined up to £1,000."

The research of commercial drivers and operators found that more than 52% of the respondents welcome training as they feel it helps them to be a better driver, and more than half would like to see new industry courses introduced.

One-day, classroom-based training was the preferred way of delivering CPC training over half-day courses, online modules, videos and Toolbox Talks, with 40% of drivers agreeing with this method.

The research discovered 96% of respondents are concerned for vulnerable road users around their vehicles and ‘Vulnerable Road User’ is the most attended training course by drivers.

However, drivers voted ‘Vehicle road worthiness’ as the most important training topic in their opinion.

Caesari added: “With the ever-increasing number of cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists on our roads, it is essential that HGV, PCV and PSV drivers are able to operate safely and reduce the risks of driving in today’s busy environments.

"There are various training courses that can help with this and also count towards drivers’ required CPC hours.

“When choosing driver training, we should consider the roles, responsibilities and opinions of drivers to ensure they are receiving the most relevant driver training that is important to them, to make sure drivers continue to see value in the training they are attending."