Driverlink Training is the leading transport training provider in the North West

What is Driver CPC & Who Needs It?

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There are a lot of abbreviations, slang terms and acronyms in the driving industry – and it’s important that as a professional, you know what they are.  In the case of Driver CPC, those who professionally drive an LGV over 3.5t or minibus with 9 seats or more must ensure they adhere to a number of legal obligations that can directly affect the driver and the company they drive for.

CPC stands for the Certificate of Professional Competence and is required for driving professionally in the UK and EU when operating an LGV or Minibus vehicle for hire or reward along with holding the correct licence entitlements to the vehicle you use.

Lorry (LGV) drivers who obtained their licence (C, C1, C+E and C1+E) before 10 September 2009 and Bus and coach (PCV) drivers who hold a relevant vocational licence (D, D1, D+E and D1+E) gained before 10 September 2008, (including restricted vocational licence D (101) issued after 1991 and D1 (101) issued before 1997) do not need to take the initial qualification. This is because they are deemed to hold ‘acquired rights’. However, they will still have to complete periodic training to keep their Driver CPC.

Existing drivers with acquired rights will receive their DQC when they have completed their first 35 hours of periodic training; their DQC will be valid until 9 September 2018 for PCV drivers and until 9 September 2019 for LGV drivers. Drivers with licences for both PCV and LGV will be covered by one DQC which will be valid until 9 September 2019 which most current drivers will have.

All drivers need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years on an ongoing basis to keep driving for a living. Drivers can check their Driver CPC periodic training record online to see how many hours they have done.

Periodic Training 

Periodic training is delivered through courses that drivers attend over the five-year period for which their current Driver CPC is valid. There is no pass or fail element to these tests and the minimum length of a training course is seven hours.

Each new five-year period will begin from the expiry date of the driver’s current Driver CPC qualification, and not from the date on which they reached the 35 hours minimum training requirement.

Drivers of LGV vehicles prior to 10 September 2009 had to complete 35 hours of training and have their DQC issued by 9 September 2014. The deadline to complete their second block of training is 9 September 2019.

Drivers of PCV vehicles prior to 10 September 2008 had to complete their first block of 35 hours of training and have their DQC issued by 9 September 2013. The deadline to complete their second block of training is 9 September 2018.

Drivers of both PCV and LGV vehicles only need to do one set of periodic training every 5 years.

Initial Qualification

The initial Driver CPC qualification is split into four parts. These include the theory and practical tests drivers will need to pass before they can gain their full vocational driving licence.

The other two parts are optional, and only need to be taken if the driver wants to get the full Driver CPC that will allow them to drive buses, coaches or lorries professionally.

This gives drivers the flexibility to obtain their vocational licence only or to gain full Driver CPC at the same time.

The two Driver CPC theory tests are:

  • part one – theory test. The theory test is made up of 2 parts 1) a multiple-choice test and 2) a hazard perception test.

A driver must take both tests separately and it doesn’t matter in which order the driver completes them. As long as the driver passes both within 2 years of each other the driver will get a theory test certificate.

Once the driver has passed Driver CPC module 1 the driver must pass the Driver CPC module 3 driving test within 2 years, otherwise, the driver will have to pass the module 1 theory test again.

  • part two – case studies

The test consists of seven case studies the driver works through on a computer. The case studies are basically short scenarios based on situations that are highly likely to happen in one’s working life as a lorry driver. The test has been written by industry experts and uses realistic scenarios that a lorry driver may encounter when out on the road.

A pass letter is valid for two years and the driver must complete and pass the Driver CPC module 4 practical demonstration test within the 2 years, otherwise, the driver will have to complete the module 2 case studies test again.

The practical tests are:

  • part three – licence acquisition (practical test of driving ability)

The driving ability test is a practical test that lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes: • Vehicle safety questions • Practical road driving • Off-road exercises

  • part four – Driver CPC practical test (vehicle safety demonstration)

The Driver CPC Module 4 is an interactive test where the driver is expected to demonstrate and explain a number of operations that are required by a lorry driver other than the driving itself.

To get the full Driver CPC qualification, drivers must pass all four parts. If they want to get a vocational licence, but will not be driving for a living, they will only need to take and pass part one and part three.

As a Driver CPC training provider, we know how important it is to make sure you receive the correct training you require, as this can save you money and time if done correctly.

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Transport Management CPC Course: Commercial Conduct of the Business

No.6 of 30 revision modules for the Transport Management CPC course, AKA the Operators CPC course. This short video contains questions and answers based around the Commercial Conduct of Business element from the course.

Each clip lasts for 10 seconds, so it would be advised to pause the question after it has been read in order for you to think of the answer before it is revealed.

OCR set multiple choice questions for this part of the exam, so this tutorial would be harder than expected as you would need to know the answer, before seeing the answer!

Driverlink Training offer an optional 10 x 2.5 hour study sessions on the 10 week approach to the course which covers 12 modules, then the 9 days prior to the Transport Management Case Study exam, we provide a continuous 9 day course in order to give good preparation.

more details of the Transport Management course can be found here:  www.driverlinktraining.co.uk/services/transport-management-cpc/

Transport Management CPC Course: Financial Management Tutorial

No.5 of 30 revision modules for the Transport Management CPC course, AKA the Operators CPC course. This short video contains questions and answers based around the Financial Management element from the course, with reference to Balance Sheets, Profit and Loss Accounts, Trading Accounts, terminology and formulas used for calculations.

Each clip lasts for 10 seconds, so it would be advised to pause the question after it has been read in order for you to think of the answer before it is revealed.

OCR set multiple choice questions for this part of the exam, so this tutorial would be harder than expected as you would need to know the answer, before seeing the answer!

Driverlink Training offer an optional 10 x 2.5 hour study sessions on the 10 week approach to the course which covers 12 modules, then the 9 days prior to the Transport Management Case Study exam, we provide a continuous 9 day course in order to give good preparation.

more details of the Transport Management course can be found here: https://www.driverlinktraining.co.uk/services/transport-management-cpc/

Quite Simply – We ARE The Best!

Driverlink Training

And so I would challenge anybody who thinks differently.

Driver CPC was always something that the management at Driverlink Training have always seen in a different perspective, they have experience from both sides of the desk.

Saving £10 on a course or fraudulently completing less hours are 2 factors we have never been able to understand, if you are paying to learn, why not learn!

The turn of the period back in September 2014, the team of trainers at Driverlink Training completed in excess of 500 hours in order to ensure our clientele had a fresh set of courses for the new period of training.

We are fast approaching Period 2, Year 3 – YES, Year 3 and still a large majority are still opting to leave this training until Year 5. My point is, we are doing our bit, we are offering regular courses, minimum of 2 per week to be precise and most importantly, we are updating our material to bring our delegates away from that boring mundane ‘death by Powerpoint’ 1990’s pile of trash!

Course renewals time is fast approaching, so what have we done for Period 2, Year 3?

Raised the bar, that’s what. Take Drivers Hours, WTD and Defect Reporting for instance, this is probably the most popular Driver CPC course in the industry, with delegates thinking they know it all as they have sat a similar course time and time again, but when you have the systems to prove they don’t, it is quite satisfying to know delegates have come to us and learned, but most importantly, gone away happy.

Touching on the Drivers Hours course, we are going in to the 8th year of Driver CPC so we have taken the decision to increase the time from 3.5 hours to 7 hours and taken inspiration from our OCR management level course, this encourages delegates to interact in small groups whilst proving what they have learned by having to think!

Having spent at least a further 50 hours on this particular course myself, I will quite happily boast that it is pretty damn good, one that we’re looking forward to delivering.

How many other companies can you sit a Driver CPC course with and use electronic handsets throughout which are prompted with questions following explanation slides, creating a report upon completion for drivers and their employers to file or reference?

We have invested heavily in to this hardware, and in to adapting the course material to be adaptable but it is one of those investments that I can look back on without regret, arguably the best thing we have done for Driver CPC.

Trainer interaction is as vitally important as the material/subjects they are delivering, we could all read from a Powerpoint presentation, is that what you really want?

We receive so many applications for trainers wanting to train for us, deep down I would like to be able to help them all but the select trainers we have are all very experienced, qualified and knowledgable in their own course delivery, a loyal bunch that I wouldn’t change.

I personally think over the next 2 years, we are going to see centres open up all across the country quite rapidly, they are going to be centres who have purchased off the shelf materials, employ rusty trainers and because we are right at the deadline, they are going to charge more.

The ‘last minute’ delegates are going to make the industry short of drivers again, placing pressure on businesses to conduct their daily activities.

Why wait, I mean seriously, why wait? Consider your training provider carefully, invest in your staff, especially your drivers as they are ambassadors for your company on so many fronts.

Written by Kevin Allen, MD Driverlink Training
Www.driverlinktraining.co.uk

Spread the Cost of your Driver CPC Training

Driver CPC is mandatory and is not going away, and the the individuals it can be a burden on their life if they have to undertake this in their own time, but also financially.

Driverlink Training understand the needs of drivers when it comes to completing Driver CPC, so we have created a simple model for drivers to pay for their Driver CPC training monthly, while sitting just 1 course per year!

Drivers who started on this program nearly 10 months ago are just sitting their first courses now and feedback has been received very well in the help we have provided.

Fees are currently (In the month of July 2015) set at £6.85 pcm – who would actually notice that going out of their bank, it is less than a packet of cigarettes! As the months go by and the deadline beckons, the price does increase each month so the earlier you join, the less you pay each month.

Do you want to pay for your Driver CPC monthly? Call 01942 826133 and we will arrange this for you

The Highway Code

So Guys,

Blog of the week – The Highway Code…

…I can hear the laughing already, last read the day of your driving test!

But seriously, The Highway Code contains the rules of the road, and learning just a few of the rules can give you a lot more credibility when some idiot doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Rule 259 for instance – How to join the Motorway

Rules 221 and 222 are useful too, but as professional drivers, you know that, don’t you?

Reading the code can save you hassle too, would you stop for a Highways Agency Traffic Officer?

If your answer is no, then you could be in trouble,

If your answer is yes, then where do they have the power to stop you??

Rule 108 will give you the answer to this one, Rules 106, and 107, will tell you the powers of the Police and VOSA, and tell you the correct procedures they should follow when stopping you. Knowledge will empower you, and as you are now recognised as trained professionals, if you get it wrong, you will be prosecuted as trained professionals, which means higher fines of course!

Then there are the Flash for Cash scams that have replaced the Crash for Cash scams. Rule110 is the one they use to get their money, ‘ Only flash your headlights to let others know you are there’ ,not to let them out of a junction etc.

At this time of year, Rule 229 comes into force. Before you set off:

  • You MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows
  • You MUST ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible
  • Make sure the mirrors are clear and windows are demisted thoroughly
  • Remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users

Get yourself a copy, or book a course with Driverlink, and get your knowledge up to date.

Drive safe,

Guy

 

First Person on the Scene of an Accident

Ok guys, this will be the first in a series of updates based on frequently asked questions, not just from course dates but general telephone enquiries.

This week I would like to focus on being the first person on the scene of an accident, and would like to state that you do not have to stop and you do not have to give first aid, but imagine if you did and you saved a life.

Personally, I carry a kit in my car which contains a high visibility vest and coat, warm clothing including a hat and gloves, bottles of fresh water, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a tool kit, in some countries, some of those items are compulsory.

When you arrive at the scene, always check for danger by assessing the site, DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT DANGER. Look around, is anything likely to collide with you? Can you safely access the injured victims? Are there any hazardous goods involved including fuel leaks?

Call the emergency services, and stay calm. One of the first pieces of information they will need is your location, take a look around, can you see any sign posts or land marks? Relay your investigation to the emergency service operator – don’t worry, they will have already dispatched help to you and this information will be relayed to the professionals while they are on route.

Assess the victims, are they conscious, bleeding and/or breathing. Would you know what to do if they are suffering? If not, maybe you need to consider a First Aid course, the next victim may be a close loved one.

Provide as much first aid as you possibly can, comfort the injured and reassure them. you will never be sued for giving first aid, this is a common question asked in our courses. Ask others for help if you are unsure about anything.

First Aid saves lives, and we believe everybody should do this course at least once per year. Should you have any questions or be interested in this kind of course, you can reach us on 01942 826133

Drive safe

Hazardous Goods training (ADR)

At long last the project for Driverlink Training to deliver ADR Training Courses has finally been approved by the SQA, and as a result we will be running these courses from various locations across the North West including Warrington, Preston and Skelmersdale.

Introduction

1  ADR works in such a way that classification is the precursor for everything that follows.  Once a substance or article has been properly classified, table A (ADR 3.2.1) allows every other requirement to be ascertained by working logically through the columns.

ADR

2  The rules for classification are in ADR at part 2. Dangerous substances (and this includes articles) are very widely defined, but some, for example most medicines and cosmetics, do not have the hazardous properties that would bring them within scope of the requirements, and those that do are usually carried in very small receptacles, allowing at least partial exemption from the requirements (either limited quantities or limited loads.

3  Consignors have a duty to identify the hazards of the goods they intend to transport. There are nine classes, some with divisions, as follows.

UN ClassDangerous GoodsDivision(s)Classification
1Explosives1.1 – 1.6Explosive
2Gases2.1Flammable gas
2.2Non-flammable, non-toxic gas
2.3Toxic gas
3Flammable liquidFlammable liquid
4Flammable solids4.1Flammable solid
4.2Spontaneously combustible substance
4.3Substance which in contact with water emits flammable gas
5Oxidising substances5.1Oxidising substance
5.2Organic peroxide
6Toxic substances6.1Toxic substance
6.2Infectious substance
7Radioactive materialRadioactive material
8Corrosive substancesCorrosive substance
9Miscellaneous dangerous goodsMiscellaneous dangerous goods

4 Part 2 of ADR works through the categories in logical sequence.  It sets out descriptions and criteria in some detail.  The consignor must assign a “proper shipping name” and UN Number to the substance.

5 All relevant  hazards have to be determined (ADR 2.1.2.1). There is a hierarchy of classification (ADR 2.1.3.5.3) and there are rules about choosing the most appropriate entry and hence UN number (ADR 3.1.2).

6 Many substances and generic groups (e.g. paints) have already been classified, so in many cases a consignor may only need to find his substance in the “dangerous goods list”, which is in part 3 of ADR. The lists are by UN Number (Table A) and alphabetical (Table B) . Both lists are at the end of Volume 1 of ADR.

7 Many preparations (i.e. mixtures of substances) will not be found in table A of ADR. In those cases the rules for classification need to be followed.

8 An important change was made in ADR 2011 in paragraph 2.1.3.3. The effect of this is that dangerous goods should be classified and named according to the properties of the predominant substance, and in general the presence of impurities is not relevant. There are some specific exceptions which are set out in 2.1.3.3

9 Once a UN number and proper shipping name have been assigned, table A allows all the relevant parts of ADR to be accessed. Some substances with the same name will have different degrees of danger (for example flash point). This is reflected in the “packing group” (PG), which is found in column 4 of table A. The head of column 4 in turn directs you to the relevant part of ADR (in this case 2.1.1.3). Where a substance has been classified from “first principles”, its PG will be determined by its properties (for example ADR 2.2.3.1.3 shows how flammable liquids are assigned a PG)

10 Some substances are not assigned a PG (notably gases and explosives), but they do have a transport category, the relevance of which will be discussed elsewhere  in relation to limited load exemptions. In certain special circumstances it may not be practicable to classify the goods fully before carriage, for example when sending samples for analysis. In such cases it is acceptable to “over-classify” the goods on the basis of the information which is already available (ADR 2.1.4).

11 Proper shipping names may also be qualified by the addition of the terms such as ‘SOLUTION’; ‘LIQUID’; ‘SOLID’; ‘MOLTEN’, ‘STABILIZED’. Details at ADR 3.1.2.3 to 3.1.2.7.

12 ADR has changed in respect of classification for environmental hazards. There are links to the “supply” classifications implemented in GB by the CHIP regulations and to the GHS system of classification. See ADR at 2.1.3.8 and 2.2.9.1.10. This means that all dangerous goods, not just those directly assigned UN 3077 (solids) or UN 3082 (liquids), meeting the relevant criteria will be regarded as environmentally hazardous substances and required to show the “dead fish and tree” mark. The requirements for the mark mirror the provisions for labels and placards (ADR 5.2.1.8 and 5.3.6).

Wastes

13 With the exception of clinical waste, wastes are classified in the same way as other substances. The rules at ADR 3.1.2.8 mean that where generic or “NOS” names are chosen, the substance or substances giving rise to the hazards may have to be named. See Special Provision 274 where it appears in column 6 of Table A. The word “WASTE” should qualify other descriptions where applicable (ADR 5.4.1.1.3), and should appear before the “Proper Shipping Name”.

Article extracted from the HSE website.

New Website!

I have been working on my new website for quite some time now and has now finally been launched. To mark this occasion we have decided to heavily discount our Basic First Aid course; this has also been approved for your Driver CPC and will constitute as 7 hours towards your 35.
This discount is available to the first 10 customers who use the code which is currently on the homepage of the website.
I have tried to keep the design as simple as possible, please take a look around and feed back to us your thoughts!