How will Periodic Training course attendance be recorded?
The hours of attendance for Periodic Training must be recorded on the Driver CPC Recording & Evidencing System (R & E System), which is accessed through the Business Link website www.businesslink.gov.uk./cpc For further guidance on how to use this system please download the from the "Useful Documents" section of the website.
How will Driver CPC status be evidenced?
Drivers will be issued with a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) on completion of the Initial Qualification (new drivers) or 35 hours (existing drivers). The DQC must to be carried at all times when driving professionally.
How will Periodic Training course attendance be recorded to drivers who do not have a UK Driver’s Licence but work and live in the UK?
As you are aware, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is now a legal requirement for most professional bus, coach and lorry drivers across the European Union who hold an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) driving licence (regardless of their nationality).
On that basis DSA have developed two distinct methods for dealing with drivers for the purposes of Driver CPC and issuing them with their DQC:-
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UK licence holders’ Periodic Training should be uploaded onto the Driver CPC Recording and Evidencing System (R &E) and their DQC card will be issued once the required Periodic Training (35 hours within a 5 year period) has been completed.
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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has put in place a system for those drivers with a non UK licence to obtain a driver qualification card (DQC) in GB. Only those drivers holding such licences, and who have completed part (i.e. at least seven hours) or all of their periodic training in the UK, are eligible to apply.
If a non UK licence holder attends a periodic training course, it’s important that you don’t upload their details onto the recording and evidencing system as the licence number will not be recognised.
In order to obtain a DQC, such drivers will need to complete an application form (DQC1) and send this with their driving licence, D9 (some EU drivers will have this, it is a UK licence counterpart), a passport style photograph, relevant form of ID, training certificates and a translation where necessary. A fee of £25 applies and drivers will need to provide a GB address as the DQC can only be posted to GB postcode areas.
The application form (DQC1) is available from DSA by calling 0300 200 1122 or by sending an email to customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk (putting ‘Driver CPC enquiry’ in the subject field).
Further information can be found at businesslink.gov.uk/drivercpc
Will drivers and their employer be able to check the number of hours a driver has completed?
Yes, this facility will be available on the Recording & Evidencing System (R&E) in the near future. It will be accessed through the Business Link website www.businesslink.gov.uk./cpc and will require the driver's driving licence number.
Will it be an offence for someone to drive without a Driver CPC or Driver Qualification Card (DQC) when they should have one?
Yes there will be penalties if someone drives without carrying their Driver Qualification Card (DQC). There will also be penalties for employers who cause or permit a driver to drive without a DQC. Allowances will be made for lost or stolen DQC's similar to the rules that are currently in force for lost or stolen digital tachograph cards.
How will the carrying of the Driver Qualification Card be enforced on the road?
This will be enforced by the police, VOSA, and DVLA. Also, any EU enforcement body can ask a driver for proof that his/her CPC status is current while they are driving in other Member states and issue a penalty if a driver is in breach of the Directive.
Would Digital Tachograph cards be an appropriate means of recording Driver CPC status?
Whilst this might prove of value in the future, there are two principle reasons why this will not be appropriate at the moment.
1. There are over 100,000 PCV drivers who don’t use tachographs.
2. Whilst the requirement for digital tachographs commences in May 2006, it relates only to new vehicles and therefore will take a lot longer than the two to three years to Sept 2008/9 for all drivers to need a card.
