Discussion
Hi,
I hold a class 1 licence but I've never done any of the CPC stuff. A new venture means I need to use my licence for commercial purposes for the first time in years so what do I do about the CPC?
I've looked at the .gov website and it says that as I took my test before the CPC thing came out I have some acquired rights but it isn't clear what these are.
I see that I should take 35 hours of training every 5 years but do I need to do all 35 hours now before I drive?
Cheers.
I hold a class 1 licence but I've never done any of the CPC stuff. A new venture means I need to use my licence for commercial purposes for the first time in years so what do I do about the CPC?
I've looked at the .gov website and it says that as I took my test before the CPC thing came out I have some acquired rights but it isn't clear what these are.
I see that I should take 35 hours of training every 5 years but do I need to do all 35 hours now before I drive?
Cheers.
Yes you do. And the card, which must be on your person.
You have a grandfathered entitlement so you don't have to take any exams, but your first renewal was due in September 2014 so you will need to undetake the periodic training to obtain your DCPC card.
Now is a good time to get the 35hrs in. It usually comprises of 5x7hr days, which drag, and cost from around £65ea upwards, but usually more. Due to the pandemic a dispensation allows the DCPC course providers to offer remote learning, which will still be a chore, but at least you can stay at home and the days are frequently split into two to make it bearable.
The best part is the price. There are plenty of chancers making a big deal about each 7hrs only costing £50 (typically agencies) but the more common price is £20-£30, so it should only cost you half of the usual amount.
You have a grandfathered entitlement so you don't have to take any exams, but your first renewal was due in September 2014 so you will need to undetake the periodic training to obtain your DCPC card.
Now is a good time to get the 35hrs in. It usually comprises of 5x7hr days, which drag, and cost from around £65ea upwards, but usually more. Due to the pandemic a dispensation allows the DCPC course providers to offer remote learning, which will still be a chore, but at least you can stay at home and the days are frequently split into two to make it bearable.
The best part is the price. There are plenty of chancers making a big deal about each 7hrs only costing £50 (typically agencies) but the more common price is £20-£30, so it should only cost you half of the usual amount.
Oh god, you've just reminded me that I've got another CPC module to do this month or thereabouts (you have to do one module a year, not allowed to do 5 modules in the 5th year). Despite being on furlough at the moment, it's one of these things that has to be done.
Work pay for ours, and we just take a holiday day for it and it's done in the hotel around the corner from the depot normally.
Took me a while to get used to the fact that if you don't carry not only your license but also your digi-card and also the CPC qualification card. Just keep them in a holder in the back of my phone now.
Johnnyjones since you haven't done it before you have to do all the modules beforehand, and I think there's another section to it as well, the practical aspect (maybe this is just a thing you have to do when you take your driving test).
TBH a lot of it is very common sense, I do find that having a good instructor who is open to questions rather than someone who just force-feeds you it all. We had a lot of great discussion around the practical implementation of the laws and directives, as opposed to just parrot-fashion. We actually learnt something and it makes compliance a lot easier when people can understand why and how to deal with it, and that it's not just some corporate bulls
t.
Having said that, the only way to get people to do walk-around checks was to make them use an app. If they hadn't submitted a check that day (and the coach management software said they were working) a stern phone call from the transport manager ensued. The days of paper booklets are gone, if something happens or you get pulled in they already know your company is compliant and that makes life a lot easier in the long run.
Work pay for ours, and we just take a holiday day for it and it's done in the hotel around the corner from the depot normally.
Took me a while to get used to the fact that if you don't carry not only your license but also your digi-card and also the CPC qualification card. Just keep them in a holder in the back of my phone now.
Johnnyjones since you haven't done it before you have to do all the modules beforehand, and I think there's another section to it as well, the practical aspect (maybe this is just a thing you have to do when you take your driving test).
TBH a lot of it is very common sense, I do find that having a good instructor who is open to questions rather than someone who just force-feeds you it all. We had a lot of great discussion around the practical implementation of the laws and directives, as opposed to just parrot-fashion. We actually learnt something and it makes compliance a lot easier when people can understand why and how to deal with it, and that it's not just some corporate bulls
t. Having said that, the only way to get people to do walk-around checks was to make them use an app. If they hadn't submitted a check that day (and the coach management software said they were working) a stern phone call from the transport manager ensued. The days of paper booklets are gone, if something happens or you get pulled in they already know your company is compliant and that makes life a lot easier in the long run.
Edited by mercedeslimos on Sunday 14th February 17:58
I don't know. As an existing licence holder, like the OP, I had a grandfathered entitlement, so I only need to complete 35hrs (any 35 hours, which can be the same 7hr course five times) every five years.
For clarity though, talk of DCPC exams and practical tests is irrelevant: the post mentioning it is incorrect and the OP will not need to do this.
For clarity though, talk of DCPC exams and practical tests is irrelevant: the post mentioning it is incorrect and the OP will not need to do this.
944 Man said:
I don't know. As an existing licence holder, like the OP, I had a grandfathered entitlement, so I only need to complete 35hrs (any 35 hours, which can be the same 7hr course five times) every five years.
For clarity though, talk of DCPC exams and practical tests is irrelevant: the post mentioning it is incorrect and the OP will not need to do this.
Oh fun! SInce the CPC is an EU directive and not straight legislation, countries can adapt its implementation. We have to have done each of the five modules in 5 years. Starting again with module 1 this year.For clarity though, talk of DCPC exams and practical tests is irrelevant: the post mentioning it is incorrect and the OP will not need to do this.
944 Man said:
What are you talking about? The man needs helpful clear advice, which I have given. All you are doing is creating confusion. My first DCPC included the same course three times and you can take the same module five times and get a card.
All understood, thanks.First module Wednesday
944 Man said:
I don't know. As an existing licence holder, like the OP, I had a grandfathered entitlement, so I only need to complete 35hrs (any 35 hours, which can be the same 7hr course five times) every five years.
For clarity though, talk of DCPC exams and practical tests is irrelevant: the post mentioning it is incorrect and the OP will not need to do this.
You can no longer repeat courses. Must be five different courses within the five years unless you have a reasonable excuse to repeat one.For clarity though, talk of DCPC exams and practical tests is irrelevant: the post mentioning it is incorrect and the OP will not need to do this.
Yep it’s been changed. The whole thing before was just a farce, I did 4 of the same corse back to back days literally repeating each day and that counts, what was the point! My current employer now pays for the course and still pays me the days wages for attending so I don’t mind them now 
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