Drivers urged to comment on Driver CPC

DfT is urging truck drivers to let them know their thoughts on Driver CPC as a consultation on proposed changes to training requirements will soon be coming to a close.

DfT said it’s important drivers have their say on the proposed changes – so if you’d like them to know how you feel about the current Driver CPC, now’s your chance!

You can read and respond to the consultation on GOV.UK as well as read through the Driver CPC review report.

The closing date to respond is Thursday 27 April.

What changes are being proposed?
The proposed changes are taken from a review of the current DCPC with ‘vocational stakeholders’. Amongst other things, the proposals in the consultation include:

• the creation of a ‘new periodic test’
• changes to reform training, including current rules on lengths of courses
• acceleration of re-entry for drivers whose Driver CPC has lapsed but wish to return to professional driving

Click here to have your say.

As T&D reported in March, the new consultation follows a review into DCPC which took place between November 2021 and January 2022 in response to acute driver shortages in the road haulage industry.

DfT said they are seeking views on options for how the DCPC qualification is maintained and, in the case of returning drivers, regained.

It said the options would “take advantage of the greater autonomy to regulate following EU-exit.”

If implemented, DfT said the reforms will establish a National DCPC for use in Great Britain and possibly Northern Ireland should Northern Ireland ministers agree.

The existing International DCPC regime will remain for travel to, from or within the EU, including the Republic of Ireland, and will continue to be recognised for journeys within the UK.

DfT emphasised the proposals are all “subject to consultation” and no final decisions have been made on which reforms may be taken forward, as proposals on which they are consulting will require amendments to legislation.