Driver CPC backlog as second round of training begins As training providers began looking towards the 2019 deadline for the second block of Driver CPC periodic training for large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers, it remained apparent from testimony received by Transport Operator that by no means everybody in scope of the regulations had met the first deadline. While the vast majority had been fully trained by 9 September, and most of the rest are taking urgent steps towards becoming so, there are still some drivers and operators who appear to have let the issue pass them by. By the deadline, some 664,000 drivers had completed the requisite 35 hours of training, leaving an estimated 10,000 or so unqualified. The Road Haulage Association highlighted an issue previously commented upon by Transport Operator: a very late realisation among operators holding restricted licences, including some local authority fleets, that the legislation did, in fact, apply to them, even though their vehicles might operate under UK rather than EU drivers’ hours regulations and/or not carry third-party goods. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has also warned that drivers who were issued with their car licences prior to 1996 and have a ‘C1’ entitlement allowing vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes to be driven, are now no longer entitled to drive an LGV professionally without the Driver CPC unless covered by an exemption. Meanwhile, it appears that many training organisations are still handling ‘stragglers’: drivers who missed the deadline either because they did not know about the legislation, did not understand it or thought that it would not be enforced. Many of the latecomers had no option other than to undertake it in one block of five days. “So we’re trying to encourage operators to spread out their training in future, and just do one day a year over the five-year period, so that it becomes something drivers can enjoy and engage with, rather than an inconvenience.” While concrete figures are unavailable, its estimated that as many as 10 per cent of truck drivers in scope of Driver CPC may have failed to acquire it thus far – with a significant proportion of the culprits likely to be drivers of vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. “In a recent session we asked twelve drivers how many of them knew someone who didn’t have the Driver CPC, and all of them put their hands up,” he said. Some of those without the DCPC were relying on exemptions – for example, that which exempts drivers carrying equipment or material to be used in the course of their work, provided driving is not the main part of their job. But the validity of some claimed exemptions was questionable, and ultimately likely to be tested in court. He added that drivers were frequently unaware of the periodic nature of the scheme, assuming that once the initial 35 hours of training were over, the certification was theirs for life. “We’ve had a drivers course this week, and asked them if they wanted to book in for their next round of Driver CPC. And some of them are saying: ‘We’ve already got it!’ There’s a lack of understanding that they’ll need to complete another 35 hours’ training by 2019. “What’s also interesting is that very few bus and coach drivers [for whom the initial deadline was September 2013] have started training for their next five-year period over the last 12 months. We’re therefore concerned that lessons aren’t being learned from the last-minute rush that has taken place this time round.” “Company clients are mixed in their approach to the next round of Driver CPC. Some having experienced the chaos of the last-minute dash to get their employees through CPC want to take a more structured approach of one module a year. “Others think political pressure will see CPC scrapped. All want a more varied and flexible approach to modules: few want to repeat the same five as last time.” There seems to be a trend towards independent drivers and operators taking a more structured approach next time. Self-financing drivers wanted to piggy-back Driver CPC compliance onto recognised qualifications that would make them more desirable to employers.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:56:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015