Check Your Periodic Training Hours Online
If you’re a lorry, bus or coach driver working towards Driver CPC, you can now check records of the periodic training you’ve completed online.
You can register to use the online driver enquiry service, developed by DSA, at www.direct.gov.uk/checkdrivercpc
The service can be accessed 24 hrs a day and provides a clear and simple online record, showing:
- Your Driver CPC qualification expiry date (bus and coach and / or lorry)
- Details of each training course completed you’ve completed.
It also allows you to give your current or prospective employer temporary access to your training record - so they can confirm how much periodic training you have done in your five year cycle.
The service should also benefit trainers by reducing the need for them to respond to many of the kinds of enquiries they receive from individual drivers and operators.
Uploading training records
It should only take up to five days from course completion for a driver’s training record to be updated, and trainers are reminded of the importance of adding records within this period.
If this hasn’t been done, drivers should contact the trainer directly. If the trainer / centre do not respond satisfactorily, drivers should then raise this with DSA via dcpc.complaints@dsa.gsi.gov.uk.
Linking to the service
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If you’re a trainer or employer and want to add a button to your website that links to the service, you could do so using this graphic.
- You could also add the following message to the training certificate you issue at the end of your training course – helping to raise awareness of the service.
Check your periodic training has been recorded at direct.gov.uk/checkdrivercpc
Thinking of Driving for a Living?
You’re already aware that you’ll need to pass a theory and practical test to get your vocational driving licence. But did you know you’ll also need the Driver Certifi cate of Professional Competence (CPC)? This is now alegal requirement for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers and you’ll need to pass an additional theory and practical test the Driver CPC Initial Qualification.
Published Date: 25-01-2012
JAUPT Seeks Views on Website Upgrade
JAUPT are in the early stages of developing a new website with the objective of:
* having an improved centre & course search facility
* making information easier to find
* making website navigation easier
* publishing more targeted information for approved centres, employers and drivers
As a part of the development of the website we are also looking at how centres can upload and publicise dates of when their courses are going to be delivered, allowing drivers and employers to see what Periodic Training is available in their area.
If you have any views or suggestions about our plans for the development of our new website we would like to hear from you.
Please send your comments to sarahw@JAUPT.org.uk before 1st December 2011.
Published Date: 10-11-2011
Periodic Training Course Titles (20th October 2011)
Driver CPC Periodic Training courses should have an appropriate title, which reflects the content of the course but is not misleading. This is particularly important where a course has approval or certification from another body, and so meets requirements for another syllabus. For Driver CPC purposes, any course submitted to JAUPT for approval should be titled appropriately to reflect its relevance to Driver CPC and not any other award or qualification. This might mean that such a course could have two titles, one for Driver CPC periodic training and another for the other approval.
Licensing Update (17th October 2011)
Paper Licence Holders – Obtaining a Driver qualification card (DQC)
From 18th October 2011, following the introduction of new regulation, Holders of a UK paper driving licence will be obliged to exchange it for a photocard licence to receive a DQC following completion of 35 hours periodic training. Paper licences will still be admissible for the attendance of periodic training.
Duration of Driver Certificate of professional competence (CPC) status for foreign licence holders who exchange for a UK licence
From the 18th October 2011, drivers who exchange their licence to a UK licence and got their Driver CPC qualification in another Member State will receive Driver CPC qualification recognition for the unexpired part whatever the remaining duration maybe. From then on, after completing 35 hours periodic training in the UK, they will get Driver CPC for five years in line with other UK licence holders.
These drivers will have had their original Driver CPC status shown by a Code 95 on their driving licence or by a DQC.
If Code 95 has been used, DVLA will advise DSA, who will then issue a DQC to the driver.
Drivers from Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man & Gibraltar
From 18 October 2011 drivers from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar who drive professionally in the EU, can apply for their initial Driver CPC qualification and take periodic training so that a driver qualification card (DQC) can be issued.
Existing vocational drivers
Drivers who obtained their vocational licence before the introduction of Driver CPC may undertake periodic training in GB. Trainers should accept their licence to prove entitlement and if the licence is a photocard licence, as proof of identity. Once they have completed 35 hours within 5 years, they may apply for a DQC using a DQC1 application form in the same way that a driver with a licence from another Member State would.(see http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1085797876&type=RESOURCES )
New vocational drivers
Drivers from these islands who pass their licence acquisition since the introduction of Driver CPC can apply to DSA to take the Driver CPC case studies (module 2) and Driver CPC practical demonstration test (module 4) by phoning 0300 200 1122.
Once both tests have been passed the driver should apply for a DQC using a DQC 1 application form. Drivers who wish to drive professionally in GB must then undertake 35 hours of periodic training.
Fair Processing Notice (25/02/2011)
As your organisation is collecting personal data, to operate in compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998) you must issue a Fair Processing Notice to data subjects (trainees). This must inform the person of the purpose for the collection of data and the identity of who, if anyone, you will be sharing it with. Your Fair Processing Notice must therefore inform trainees that your organisation will share their data with the DSA, for the purpose of recording completed training hours. The inclusion of this information in your Fair Processing Notice may be checked as part of future audits.
The Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) recommends that the data subjects (trainees) are informed of the Fair Processing Notice before the Periodic Training course commences by both verbal and written methods i.e. This notice may be covered verbally with a supporting written Fair Processing notice - this may be included within a Power Point Presentation or within a handout for example.
Changes of Approved Centre Ownership and Ceasing to Trade
If a JAUPT Approved Training Centre ceases to trade, goes into liquidation, ceases to run courses under this scheme, or is taken over or passed into different ownership, JAUPT must be notified in writing of the circumstances without delay.
There must be no assumption that centre approval will be permitted to pass from one owner to another, an approval should not be regarded as a negotiable asset. On receipt of a notification of a change of circumstances, a decision will be taken on the approval position and will be notified to the provider in writing.
Delivering Periodic Training Outside of the UK (23/05/2011)
A DSA approved training provider cannot deliver training in another Member State without the approval of that Member State’s competent authority.
The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007 extend to the whole of the UK (with the exception of regulation 15, which amends the minimum age requirements for holding of obtaining licences, which extends to Great Britain only). The Regulations do not extend to the UK Sovereign Bases as the Bases do not form part of the UK itself (although they fall under its jurisdiction).
Regulation 6 allows the competent authority to approve providers of training courses and each course which those providers wish to provide. As the Regulations do not extend beyond the UK to other Member States, the training providers and courses approved by the DSA can only take place in Great Britain (or DVA in Northern Ireland).
Neither the Directive nor the Regulations make provision for reciprocal recognition of an approval of a training provider by the competent authority of one Member State in other Member States. If a training provider wishes to provide training in another Member State, it will need to obtain the approval of the competent authority of that Member State.
Maestro cards
From mid April 2011, DSA will no longer be accepting Maestro cards for test bookings and other payments, including payment to upload training records on the Driver CPC periodic training database.
If you have securely stored details of a Maestro card on the system to use to pay for uploading training records, you will need to delete or amend your nominated payment card details using the Maintain Payment Cards option.
Further information on how to change card details are on businesslink.gov.uk
DSA accepts the following cards:
· MasterCard
· Visa
· Delta
· Visa Electron
Fair Processing Notice
As your organisation is collecting personal data, to operate in compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998) you must issue a Fair Processing Notice to data subjects (trainees). This must inform the person of the purpose for the collection of data and the identity of who, if anyone, you will be sharing it with. Your Fair Processing Notice must therefore inform trainees that your organisation will share their data with the DSA, for the purpose of recording completed training hours. The inclusion of this information in your Fair Processing Notice may be checked as part of future audits.
The Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) recommends that the data subjects (trainees) are informed of the Fair Processing Notice before the Periodic Training course commences by both verbal and written methods i.e. This notice may be covered verbally with a supporting written Fair Processing notice - this may be included within a Power Point Presentation or within a handout for example.
Change to Identity Checking requirements
The government has now passed legislation cancelling identity cards for British citizens. Identity cards that have already been issued will no longer be legal forms of identification from 21 January 2011.
It is the responsibility of JAUPT approved centres to verify the identity of drivers attending approved periodic training courses. These checks must be carried out before any course commences (including practical and classroom-based). This requires a visual check of a form of identification, normally the photocard and counterpart driving licence. For drivers with an ‘old style’ paper driving licence, this must be accompanied by a valid passport. Identity cards will not be accepted as proof of identity from 21 January.
The Guide to Periodic Training will be updated shortly to reflect this change.
Update for Non - UK Licence Holders
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).
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
Change of Ownership and Ceasing to Trade
If a JAUPT Approved Training Centre ceases to trade, goes into liquidation, ceases to run courses under this scheme, or is taken over or passed into different ownership, JAUPT must be notified in writing of the circumstances without delay.
There must be no assumption that centre approval will be permitted to pass from one owner to another, an approval should not be regarded as a negotiable asset. On receipt of a notification of a change of circumstances, a decision will be taken on the approval position and will be notified to the provider in writing.
Uploading drivers hours to the DSA's Driver CPC Recording and Evidencing (R&E) database via the Government Gateway - September 2010
We would now like to remind all approved training centres that from 9 September 2010, the requirement to upload drivers’ hours will revert to 5 working days.
Ref: Terms and condition of approval xv –Training centres must update the Driver CPC R&E database on courses delivered within five working days of the end date of the course. (A Guide to Periodic Training, Annex 7, page 15).
Updated Guide to Periodic Training - July 2010
We are pleased to announce that the latest version of the Guide to Periodic Training and associated forms are available for download here.
Licence Checks and Periodic training.
Further to the reminder notice issued in April 2010, can DSA reiterate that it is the responsibility of the approved training centre to check all drivers’ licences for identity purposes but also to confirm that the driver holds the appropriate licence if taking periodic training which involves driving a vehicle.
Only periodic training hours for UK licence holders who wish to maintain their Driver CPC qualification should be uploaded to the DSA Driver CPC Recording and Evidencing (R&E) database.
Any training incorrectly uploaded after Monday 12th July, will not be subject to a routine refund.
The Guide to Periodic Training is currently being revised and will give more information about licence checking and upload.
Periodic Training Administration for Non UK Licence Holders
DSA are developing a manual process for non UK licence holders (EU nationals normally resident/working in the UK and third country nationals authorised to work in the UK) that will enable them to obtain their Driver Qualification Card (DQC), provided they have completed some or all of their Driver CPC periodic training in the UK. This process will be available in the later part of this year.
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 (R&E) database 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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Non UK licence holders’ (EU nationals normally resident/working in the UK and third country nationals authorised to work in the UK) who complete 35 hours of periodic training, should obtain and keep their records of attendance (issued to them by approved training centres after completion of a periodic training course). Such licence holders’ should then apply to DSA for their DQC (on the appropriate form, available later this year) enclosing copies of their records of attendance (with translations if necessary) along with their driving licence, a passport sized photograph, supporting ID and the relevant fee to the following address:
Driver CPC (DQC)
DSA
PO Box 280
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE99 1FP
Therefore with immediate effect, even if a non UK licence holders’ (EU nationals normally resident/working in the UK and third country nationals authorised to work in the UK) has a UK D9 paper counterpart, could all approved training centres please refrain from entering such driver details onto the R&E system.
Identity Card Reminder
Please be aware that from 27 April 2010, a valid UK Identity Card (issued under the Identity Cards Act 2006) will become an acceptable document for establishing a person’s identity for DSA purposes. Thus, persons holding an “old style” paper licence can present either a valid passport (as at present) or a valid UK ID card to confirm their identity.
Please note that further guidance will be included in the revised Guide to Periodic Training when the new version is launched on 1 July 2010. In the meantime, more information about ID cards can be found here.
http://www.dsa.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX7A96-A7834C37
Changes to ID requirements for driving tests and Driver CPC periodic training
The DSA has been working closely with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) so they can accept UK Identity Cards issued by IPS as an alternative means by which candidates may confirm their identity for all types of driving tests and Driver CPC periodic training.
Candidates for driving tests and periodic training need to produce evidence of their entitlement to drive the relevant vehicle and prove their identity before the test or training can commence. Candidates may currently do this by way of a driving licence. Where the licence does not contain a photograph a valid passport is also required.
Candidates will still need to confirm their driving entitlement by producing their driving licence but, with effect from 27 April, candidates who do not have a photocard licence will be able to use a valid UK ID Card issued by IPS as an alternative to their passport.
Any candidate who is unable to satisfy the examiner of their driving entitlement or identity will have their test cancelled and may lose their fee. The original news release can be read here.
Changes to Terms and Conditions of Centre/Course Approval
The Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) relating to centre and course approval (contained within the Guide to Periodic Training) are being revised and this is formal notification on behalf of the competent authority of those revisions in line with the current T&Cs (Annex 3, page 19, T&C vii refers).
The centre, course and course re-approval Terms and Conditions are being amalgamated into one set and there are two significant additions – one to cover licence checks in line with legislation and one to cover secure managing of passwords for the Driver Recording & Evidencing (R & E) Database. The revised T&Cs can be found here - the new ones are xvi and xxxi. The new T&Cs will take effect from 1 July 2010.
In addition, the Guide to Periodic Training is also being revised to take account of feedback from users on the layout/content of the application forms, add clarity where needed particularly around consortia and add reference to the Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007 where appropriate. The new revised Guide should be available from 1 July 2010 and will be shared with stakeholders for comment on the revisions prior to its release.
Amendment to "A Guide To Periodic Training"
Reference:
Page 4
Section 2 "Who is Affected by the Requirements of Periodic Training?"
Paragraph 2.2 Existing Drivers (PCV)
The paragraph in the Guide To Periodic Training currently states:
All drivers of PCV vehicles, holding a category D, D1, D+E or D1+E licence at 10 September 2008, will need to complete the 35 hours of periodic training before 10 September 2013, unless exempt (see 2.6). This also includes drivers who hold D1 entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre-1997. After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five-year period in order to retain their Driver CPC.
The paragraph should read:
2.2 | Existing Drivers (PCV)
All drivers of PCV vehicles, holding a full category D, D1, D+E or D1+E licence at 10 September 2008, will need to complete the 35 hours of periodic training before 10 September 2013, unless exempt (see 2.7). After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five-year period in order to retain their Driver CPC.
Note: D1 licence entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre-1997 (licence Code 101 – not for hire or reward). Any driver with this restriction cannot drive professionally.
Please amend any copies of the guide that you may currently hold.
Information for Trainers Who Provide Practical In Cab Periodic Training for Provisional Licence Holders
On page 23 of the Guide to Periodic Training the following is currently stated:
”Those trainers delivering practical training must comply with the accompanying driver rules' and must have held the licence for at least three years to comply with the accompanying driver rules, and meet one of the above criteria.”
From April 2010 if you are accompanying a learner in a D1 or C1 vehicle you must hold a C1 or D1 licence by passing the test, rather than by grandfather rights (pre-1997 car licence). If a trainer takes the test before April 2010 the time they have had the licence via 'grandfather rights' will be taken into account so they will still comply with the 3 year rule, but if they take their C1 or D1 test after April 2010 they will have to wait until they have held their licence for 3 years before they can accompany a driver.
More detailed information can be found on the DSA’s website. http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=607
Driver CPC Periodic Training Modular Course - Module Submissions
All modules must now be submitted at the same time as the initial modular course approval or re-approval, i.e. once a year. These approval anniversaries will apply to both sectors now that LGV and PCV are live. This will ensure that the JAUPT maintain a manageable administration system and an effective Quality Assurance process.
Please note- from the 4th January 2010 the Joint Approvals Unit will only accept additional modules at the point of modular course re-approval stage. If you have planned to submit two or more additional modules outside the anniversary date of the modular course we recommend that you submit these for approval before 4th January 2010.
WARNING OF EXEMPTION CARD SCAM
VOSA and the DSA have issued a joint press release on the 7th September 09 warning people of this scam which involves the selling of the so-called ‘Driver Qualification Exemption Card’ or DQEC on the internet for £49. Please click here to download the full press release.
Drivers Qualification Card (DQC)
It is not currently within legislation that a driver with an 'old style' paper licence must exchange it for a photocard driving licence in order to obtain a Driver Qualification Card. However, the DVLA will not be able to automatically issue a driver with their DQC unless they hold a photcard licence. Therefore it is strongly recommended that drivers exchange their licence before they complete their Periodic Training.
COURSE APPROVAL FEES UPDATE - PLEASE READ
Please note that UK Driver CPC regulations for the course approval fees state that:
This means that if you submit a course of 7.5 hours in length, you will be charged for 8 hours, so it is advisable to only submit courses of full hours
Likewise, if you are using the modular approach for courses, it is advisable to submit even numbers of modules (e.g. 2, 4, or 6) at a time, not odd numbers, otherwise the extra half hour will be rounded up when payment is taken (e.g. if you submit 3 modules, this would be 10.5 hours, but you would actually pay for 11 hours).
