DSA to consult on Driver CPC implementation

13 August 2007

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now inviting the public to enter into consultation on the implementation of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).

The Driver CPC, is a new qualification that all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers will need to have if they want to drive for a living. It is being introduced across the European Union to maintain high driving standards and will affect bus and coach drivers from September 2008, and lorry drivers from September 2009. New drivers will need to complete an initial qualification to obtain their Driver CPC and all affected drivers will need to take 35 hours of approved periodic training every five years, if they wish to continue driving professionally.

The consultation paper covers a range of proposals that are intended to enhance the existing published scheme in certain respects. This follows further discussions with the road freight and passenger transport sectors.

The consultation period started 8 August and ends 31 October 2007. The consultation paper, ‘Driver Certificate of Professional Competence – further implementation arrangements,’ – is available on www.dsa.gov.uk . Recommendations are expected to be implemented in April 2008.