Fleet operators call for ‘overhaul’ of Driver CPC

The overwhelming majority of commercial fleet operators – 95% – want change to the way that the Driver Certificates of Professional Competence (DCPC) is delivered, new research suggests.

The survey, conducted by Road Skills Online on behalf of its response to the Government consultation into the way the Driver CPC is delivered in the UK, showed that operators want modernisation, flexibility, and full industry alignment of the Driver CPC.

Almost two thirds (65%) of fleet operators said that an eLearning module, taken monthly, would be more valuable and have a greater impact than a single day (seven hours) of classroom training.

David Somers, managing director of Road Skills Online, said: “It is quite clear that the people who operate the logistics and transport sector of the UK want a modern, driver friendly solution and a modern approach to learning for driver development.

“The benefits of continuous bite sized, and accredited professional development are both accepted and fully established, and it is now incumbent on the DfT and DVSA to enable our professional operators to take advantage of the latest in learning technology to maintain and improve standards.”

Fleet operators were generally supportive of the Driver CPC, with more than half (59%) stating the training made a positive impact to their business; although one in five (20%) stated it did not.

The survey also found that 90% of operators felt that a structured programme of continuing professional development supported driver retention and bite-sized learning was the best approach for the driver population with nearly 98% of operators agreeing this was a way forward.

Furthermore, 95% of respondents felt that an online driver passport, accessible to all operators, would be a benefit to the UK driver industry as a whole.

The survey, says Road Skills Online, has shown that operators, recognising the benefits of high-quality professional development, see bite-sized eLearning as being more valuable than the existing historical model of classroom-based delivery.

Somers said: “Our UK industry is recognised as a world leader for professional solutions, and we should equip all of our colleagues with the capability to engage in high quality learning, thus creating a model fully fit for our sector in the 21st Century.”