Driver CPC to be scrapped

To be a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver, you usually need a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

In 2023, the government consulted on making changes to Driver CPC.

Driver CPC is not being scrapped, but has been changed to make it more flexible for people who only drive in the UK.

The changes affect:

• how you can stay qualified (introduced from 3 December 2024)
• how you can return to professional driving (introduced from 1 February 2025)

1. Staying qualified

You can now choose to stay qualified using either:

• International Driver CPC
• National Driver CPC

1.1 International Driver CPC

International Driver CPC is the new name for how Driver CPC previously worked.

You need to take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every 5 years to be allowed to drive in the EU and the UK.

There are no changes to how it works. This means that:

• courses you take must be at least 7 hours long
• if a course is split over a day, you must complete it on 2 consecutive days
• you’re allowed to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards your overall 35 hours of training

1.2 National Driver CPC

National Driver CPC is a more flexible version of the previous Driver CPC.

If you only want to drive in the UK, you can take either:

• 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every 5 years
• a combination of 35 hours of National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC training every 5 years

National Driver CPC courses:

• must be at least 3 hours 30 minutes long – training providers can still offer longer courses if they want to
• do not need to be completed on 2 consecutive days if it’s a split course – course providers are free to set their own time limits
• can be e-learning only – for example, you can take an approved 3 hours 30 minutes long e-learning course at your workplace or home
• allow you to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards your overall 35 hours of training

1.3 Summary of options to stay qualified

You now have 2 options to stay qualified:

1. Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every 5 years to be able to drive in the UK and EU.
2. 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.

Find out more about Driver CPC training for qualified drivers.

https://www.transcomnationaltraining.co.uk/product-category/driver-cpc-courses/