Fri, October 20, 2023
Understanding CPC Hours: How to Check, Calculate, and Comply
Driver CPC is the qualification designed for truck drivers to confirm, expand, and develop new skills and knowledge during their career as professional HGV drivers. As Driver CPC is an ongoing qualification, it is highly recommended that HGV drivers set up a system where they can do a "CPC hours check" to confirm the status of their uploaded hours. This check ensures that drivers remain compliant with the training requirements and maintain their ability to drive commercially.
Section 1: Checking CPC Hours
HGV drivers can check their Driver CPC hours to ensure compliance with training requirements using several methods and resources:
1. Online Account Registration: The most common way is to set up an account via the. Gov website. After registering, you will receive a code via post to complete your registration. Once registered, you can log in with your username and password. This system provides comprehensive information, including your license number, dates of completed courses, dates of course uploads, and course details.
2. Check My Driving Licence: Visit the. Gov website and search for "check my driving licence." This method provides instant access but offers limited details, such as the date of the last issue of Driver CPC and the expiry of the next one.
3. DVSA Phone Inquiry: There is also an option to call DVSA at 0300 200 1122. However, calling the DVSA may result in them directing you to go online and create an account, as it is the most efficient method.
These methods allow drivers to verify their CPC hours, ensuring they remain compliant with the training requirements and maintain their ability to drive commercially.
Section 2: What Counts Towards CPC Hours?
Not all training you undertake will be counted as Driver CPC approved. It's crucial to understand which activities and training count towards your CPC hours. To qualify as Driver CPC hours, a course must be approved by the DVSA and last for a minimum of 7 hours. Therefore, when planning your training, ensure that you book and attend a course that is clearly designated as CPC approved.
Here are some examples of activities and training that count towards your CPC hours, helping you meet your requirements:
1.Driver CPC Courses: Attending DVSA-approved CPC courses explicitly designed for professional drivers.
2. ADR Training: Courses for the carriage of dangerous goods that have been approved for Driver CPC hours.
3. First Aid Training Certain first aid courses may be approved for CPC hours.
4.HIAB Training: Courses for operating lorry-mounted cranes (HIAB) that meet CPC criteria.
5. Operator CPC Training: Courses relevant to CPC requirements for transport managers and operators.
These examples can guide drivers in selecting training and activities that contribute to their CPC hours and ensure they meet the necessary requirements.
Section 3: Required Hours for CPC Drivers
Professional drivers with a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) are required to achieve and maintain their certification by completing a specific number of training hours. Here's a breakdown of the training requirements:
For both existing and new drivers, a Driver CPC card is valid for 5 years.
The requirement is to complete 35 hours of approved CPC training every 60 months, which equates to every 5 years.
It's crucial to note that if you complete more than 35 hours within a 5-year block, you cannot transfer or carry over those extra hours, and they will be lost. This underscores the importance of having a Driver CPC hours checking system in place to ensure you don't exceed the 35-hour limit.
There are two types of Driver CPC qualifications: the Initial Driver CPC for new entrants and the 35-hour periodic training every 5 years for experienced HGV drivers. It's essential to complete the correct Driver CPC qualification based on your status.
It's important to understand the distinction between these two categories of training:
1. Initial CPC Training: This is for new drivers entering the profession and involves passing both a theory and practical test. It is the first step in obtaining the Driver CPC qualification.
2. Periodic CPC Training: Periodic training is designed for experienced HGV drivers who have already obtained their initial Driver CPC. It requires these drivers to complete 35 hours of approved training every 5 years to maintain their certification.
Understanding the difference between initial and periodic CPC training is essential for drivers to ensure they fulfill the correct training requirements based on their experience and qualifications.
Section 4: CPC Hours Not Showing: Troubleshooting
For drivers who face problems with their CPC hours not appearing in their records, it's crucial to take the following steps:
1. Attendance and Record Upload: Attending the CPC training course is one part of the process, but ensuring that a record of your attendance is uploaded is equally important. After completing a 7-hour course, your training company must upload a record of your attendance onto the government R&E (Recording and Evidence) system within 5 days of course completion.
2. Potential Solutions: If you find any discrepancies or issues with your recorded hours when you check your records online, consider the following potential solutions:
a. Contact Your Training Company: The first step is to get in touch with your training company. They can review their records and rectify any errors in the uploaded data.
b. Contact the DVSA: If your training company isn't able to resolve the issue, you can reach out to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) for assistance. You can contact them at 0300 200 1122.
Taking these steps should help you address and rectify any problems related to your CPC hours not appearing in your records, ensuring that you maintain compliance with training requirements.
Section 5: Understanding a Full CPC
A full CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) entails the completion of 35 hours of approved training every 5 years. This periodic training is a requirement for professional drivers of goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, including categories C1, C1E, C, and C+E.
Benefits of Holding a Full CPC
1. Legal Compliance: Having a valid Driver CPC card is a legal requirement for professional HGV drivers. It ensures that you are in compliance with the law and can legally drive commercially.
2. Improved Knowledge and Skills: Completing CPC training allows drivers to enhance their knowledge and skills in areas relevant to the safe operation of commercial vehicles, promoting road safety and professionalism.
3. Career Opportunities: Holding a full CPC can open up more job opportunities and increase employability, as it demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and safety.
Implications of Not Having a Valid CPC:
1. Legal Consequences: Driving professionally without a valid CPC card is an offence and can result in fines. Both drivers and operators can face penalties for non-compliance.
2. Risk to Vocational Licence: The vocational licence (HGV licence) of a driver may be at risk if they continue to drive without a valid CPC. The Traffic Commissioner (TC) can withdraw the licence.
3. Operator Liability: Operators who allow drivers to work without a valid CPC are also committing an offence, which can lead to legal consequences.
In summary, holding a full CPC is essential for legal compliance and professional development, while not having a valid CPC can lead to legal consequences and operational issues. It's crucial to ensure your CPC card is up to date and to keep track of your training hours to maintain compliance.
FAQs About CPC Hours
How often should I complete CPC training hours?
The government recommends completing 7 hours every year over a 5-year period. However, it's up to you how you complete your training, as long as you do at least 7 hours at any one time. In previous cases, many drivers have left it until the last minute.
What happens if I don't meet my CPC training requirements?
If you do not complete the required 35 hours of CPC training, you simply won't receive a new Driver CPC card, and you will not be allowed to drive commercially.
Can I carry over extra CPC training hours to the next period?
It is not possible to carry extra hours over to your next 5-year cycle. Make sure you don't complete more than 35 hours in a 60-month period to avoid losing any extra hours.
These FAQs provide essential information about CPC training requirements, compliance, and the importance of timely completion. It's crucial for professional drivers to understand and fulfill these obligations to maintain a valid CPC card.
Conclusion
With the approaching deadline of September 10th, 2024, it has never been more crucial to check your Driver CPC hours. Remembering the courses, you completed over a 5-year period can be challenging unless you have an excellent memory. While accessing the online. Gov system might seem a bit of a chore initially due to the waiting time for the passcode, once you're in, you can immediately access the system.
Currently, it's the driver's responsibility to ensure their hours are up to date, but following a recent. Gov consultation, this responsibility is set to shift to the employer. However, as a driver, it's still essential to stay informed about your hours, and online checking is the most efficient method. We hope this post has provided you with valuable assistance in checking your Driver CPC hours online, ensuring you meet the upcoming deadline.
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