What is Driver CPC?

CPC is a HGV Drivers ‘Certificate of Professional Competence’ It has been brought in to ‘improve the knowledge and skills of lorry drivers.

You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC.

You will have Grandfather Rights or ‘acquired rights’ if you:

passed your HGV licence (C, C1, C+E and C1+E) before 10th September 2009

OR

have C1 due to passing your car test in the UK before 1997.

If this is the case you can book on to do 5 CPC modules to receive your first ever CPC card. No tests/exams just book on for your modules and we’ll do the rest!

You will only need to do a Mod 2 & Mod 4 if you passed your HGV after September 2009 and do not have Grandfather Rights for car (passed car before 1997)  If you need to do your Mod 2 & Mod 4 simply book the Mod 2 first online at https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test

ODE stands for Online Driver Enquiry.

You can register for the ODE service which can be accessed on gov.uk www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc-periodic-training-hours

When a driver has accessed the ODE service to check how many periodic training hours they have accrued they can generate a temporary password, valid for 21 days, to pass to a 3rd party to allow access to their periodic training details.

The ODE facility enables drivers to check the amount of periodic training recorded for them. Drivers are advised to check ODE after five working days of completing periodic training to ensure that it has been correctly uploaded by their training provider.

A driver can also use the ODE service to see when their next Driver Qualification Card (DQC) is going to be issued.

You can drive while waiting for your CPC card to arrive.  DVSA say it can take upto 21 days to arrive.  In the meantime make sure you have you ODE set up and keep your certificates safe! You can sign up for your ODE at www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc-periodic-training-hours

DVSA/Jaupt now state:

“Drivers can only take the same course more than once in each 5-year period if they have a good reason to repeat it – for example, maintaining a dangerous goods qualification.If they do not have a good reason, DVSA can cancel the hours they got from the course. The driver might lose their DQC if cancelling the hours takes their total back under 35 hours.”

If a driver presents for training with a GB driving licence and a DQC issued in another country, they should be advised to send their DQC to the DVSA for exchange, or to email a scanned image of the front and back of this card to the DVSA including their GB driving licence number and address. This will enable the periodic training hours to be validated.

All training providers have upto 5 working days to upload drivers CPC modules HOWEVER we aim to upload within 24 hours! If you need it uploaded ASAP just let us know and we can do it straight after the session.

YES! All our courses are registered and approved for C1, C, C+E, D1 and D!

Although approved and valid for D, we strongly urge D cat drivers not to book the Driver & Load Security Module as this focuses mainly of HGV loading.

Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is a legal requirement for professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers, ensuring they maintain high standards of safety and efficiency. Following Brexit, changes were made to how Driver CPC applies within the UK, leading to the introduction of National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC.

The National Driver CPC qualification allows drivers to operate professionally within the UK only. It applies to those who do not drive internationally and ensures that they meet domestic standards for road safety, driver welfare, and compliance with UK transport laws.

Drivers holding a National CPC can legally work within England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but they are not permitted to drive commercially outside of the UK unless they upgrade to an International CPC.

The International Driver CPC is required for those who drive commercially across international borders, including into the EU. This qualification ensures compliance with both UK and EU regulations, allowing drivers to legally transport goods or passengers outside the UK.

Companies and drivers who operate internationally need to hold an International CPC to meet the standards set by EU transport laws, ensuring they follow regulations on driver hours, tachograph use, and vehicle safety when operating abroad.

National Driver CPC Training

Flexible 3.5-hour training modules (instead of the traditional 7-hour sessions)

• Option to complete up to 12 hours via e-learning platforms
• 35 hours required every 5 years to maintain certification
• Valid only within UK borders
• Ideal for domestic delivery drivers and local transport operators

International Driver CPC Training

• Mandatory 7-hour training blocks for full qualification
• 35 hours of in-person training required
• Valid for both UK and international driving
• Essential for cross-border transport operations
• Recognized across multiple countries and jurisdictions

The 2 year rule 

If your card has expired less than 2 years

If your CPC card expired less than 2 years ago, you can complete a Return to Work module. This is a 7-hour module, and once that’s done, you’ll have 12 months to complete the remaining 35 hours of training.

If your card has expired more than 2 years

If your card has been expired for more than 2 years, you’ll need to complete the full 35 hours of training before you’re allowed to return to work.