Haulage operators have been warned that time is ticking away to a key deadline for driver training.
When the Driver Certificate for Professional Competence (CPC) was introduced in 2009 for lorry drivers, some drivers gained the CPC through acquired rights, which took their previous experience into account.
Drivers with acquired rights still need to complete 35 hours of periodic training – by undertaking courses relevant to the type of driving they do and develop knowledge in new areas – every five years to keep their CPC.
The deadline for lorry drivers with acquired rights to complete their first round of CPC periodic training is 10 September and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) warned on 11 August that they risked a fine, and even loss of their livelihood, if they failed to complete the training on time.
DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples said: “DVSA enforcement officers already routinely check the Driver CPC status of professional drivers. After the deadline they’ll be able to check whether acquired rights lorry drivers have completed their training or are driving illegally”.
“Not being aware of Driver CPC is not an excuse for drivers or operators and there will be no amnesty period”.
Driving professionally without carrying their driver qualification card carries a £50 fixed penalty.
Driving without a Driver CPC qualification can also result in prosecution – with a £1,000 maximum penalty – for both the driver and the operator and the potential suspension of the driver and/or the operator’s licence.
Busy employers may find it hard to stay on top of periodic training requirements as part of their overall employment law responsibilities, but the consequences of a driver suspension or lost operator’s licence could be significant.
Palmers’ road traffic team can provide specialist advice and representation to haulage firms dealing with traffic offences, with the aim of defending and preserving licences, wherever possible. For more information, please contact Jeremy Sirrell.
Haulage operators have been warned that time is ticking away to a key deadline for driver training.
When the Driver Certificate for Professional Competence (CPC) was introduced in 2009 for lorry drivers, some drivers gained the CPC through acquired rights, which took their previous experience into account.
Drivers with acquired rights still need to complete 35 hours of periodic training – by undertaking courses relevant to the type of driving they do and develop knowledge in new areas – every five years to keep their CPC.
The deadline for lorry drivers with acquired rights to complete their first round of CPC periodic training is 10 September and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) warned on 11 August that they risked a fine, and even loss of their livelihood, if they failed to complete the training on time.
DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples said: “DVSA enforcement officers already routinely check the Driver CPC status of professional drivers. After the deadline they’ll be able to check whether acquired rights lorry drivers have completed their training or are driving illegally”.
“Not being aware of Driver CPC is not an excuse for drivers or operators and there will be no amnesty period”.
Driving professionally without carrying their driver qualification card carries a £50 fixed penalty.
Driving without a Driver CPC qualification can also result in prosecution – with a £1,000 maximum penalty – for both the driver and the operator and the potential suspension of the driver and/or the operator’s licence.
Busy employers may find it hard to stay on top of periodic training requirements as part of their overall employment law responsibilities, but the consequences of a driver suspension or lost operator’s licence could be significant.
Palmers’ road traffic team can provide specialist advice and representation to haulage firms dealing with traffic offences, with the aim of defending and preserving licences, wherever possible. For more information, please contact Jeremy Sirrell.