Results of the Driver CPC Consultation Published

Results of the Driver CPC Consultation Published

On December 11 (2023) the Department for Transport (DfT) released its findings in response to the consultation on proposed amendments to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC).

The consultation, conducted in 2023, aimed to gather feedback on streamlining the process of becoming and remaining a professional driver in the UK. The government’s recommendations include:

1. Introduction of a National DCPC (N-DCPC) covering the operation of lorries, buses, or coaches in the UK.
2. Allowing training courses to be conducted in 3.5-hour blocks for increased flexibility, as opposed to the current 7-hour requirement.
3. Raising the permissible amount of e-learning to 12 hours.

It’s important to note that these changes will exclusively apply to the N-DCPC for driving lorries, buses, or coaches solely within the UK. The planned implementation of these changes is set for the summer of 2024, and the comprehensive response is available on GOV.UK.

For those intending to drive a lorry, bus, or coach outside the UK, the existing rules requiring 35 hours of training every 5 years will remain unchanged.

Facilitating the Return to Driving

The government is also exploring ways to expedite the return-to-driving process for individuals whose DCPC has expired, specifically for lorries, buses, or coaches in the UK. This involves allowing them to undergo 7 hours of training before re-entering the sector, with the remaining 28 hours to be completed within the first year. This provision is expected to apply solely to NDCPC and is anticipated to take effect in 2025.

Ongoing Consultation

The consultation also sought opinions on the potential replacement of training with a periodic test. Further deliberation on this option is required, and a subsequent consultation is scheduled to be initiated in the upcoming year.

The full response has been published on GOV.UK.