training@driverlinktraining.co.uk

The news is out that us as a training company have been anticipating. Driver CPC changes will be coming into effect as of December 3rd 2024.

As a HGV / PCV driver, you will be able to choose from the following to stay qualified:

• National Driver CPC
• International Driver CPC

International Driver CPC

This is the new name for the way that Driver CPC works now.
If you would like to drive in the UK and EU, there are no changes for you and this is how that looks:

• If a course is split, this must be done on 2 consecutive days
• The courses must be 7 hours long

National Driver CPC

This is the new flexible version of Driver CPC however only permits you to drive in the UK.
It also means that you can take a combination of National / International or 35 hours of National
Driver CPC training every 5 years.

This is how the new version will look:

• If the course is split, this no longer needs to be done on 2 consecutive days and the training provider can set their own timings
• The course must be 3 hours and 30 minutes long however training providers can still offer longer courses if they want to

To summarise, from December 3rd 2024, you will have 2 options on how you do your Driver CPC:

• Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every 5 years to be able to drive in the UK and EU.
• Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC (or a combination of 35 hours of National and International CPC training) every 5 years to be able to drive in the UK.

Are you returning to professional driving?

At the moment, if your CPC has expired, you must do 35 hours of periodic training before you are able to return back to driving. However, as of 1st February 2025, this will change.

If your CPC expired between 60 days and 2 years, you will have 4 options:

Option 1: International Driver CPC Training
This is the current process
1 – Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training
2 – Then can start driving professionally in the UK and EU

Option 2 – National Driver CPC training
1 – Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training
2 – Then can start driving professionally in the UK

Option 3 – International Driver CPC training with a ‘return to driving’ module
1 – Take a new 7 hour ‘return to driving’ module
2 – Then can start driving professionally in the UK
3 – Take 28 hours of other international Driver CPC training within 12 months of completing the ‘return to driving’ module
4 – Then can start driving professionally in the EU

Option 4 – National Driver CPC training with a ‘return to driving’ module
1 – Take a new 7 hour ‘return to driving’ module
2 – Then can start driving professionally in the UK
3 – Take 28 hours of either national or international Driver CPC training within 12 months of completing the ‘return to driving’ module

For drivers who’s CPC expired more than 2 years ago, nothing will change for you and you will have to complete 35 hours of training before you can start driving again.

Driver CPC Cards
The rules surrounding Driver CPC Cards is still the same and you must carry this on you at all times whilst driving professionally.
Depending on which option you take to complete your Driver CPC, will determine on which type of CPC card you receive.
If you complete the International CPC, your card will look the same as the current card. This is also the same for if you complete the Initial CPC tests.
If you complete the National CPC, the card will look similar however will display that you can only drive in the UK.

If you have any questions to the new changes, please email our training department on the following:

Training@driverlinktraining.co.uk