CPC Factsheet

What is the Driver CPC?

The Driver CPC training is new EU legislation from the 10th September 2008, effective from 10th September 2009 which will affect all drivers, both new and existing and across 27 member states.  Every driver will have to undertake 35 hours of ‘Periodic Training’ (broken down into 5 x 7 hour modules) within five years, to ensure that their Driver CPC is valid. 

As of September 10th 2014, any driver who drives a vehicle over 3.5 Tonnes MUST hold a valid driver CPC card or they WILL NOT be entitled to drive within the EU.
 

What you need to know:

• Legislation takes effect from September 10th 2009

• Individual circumstances will dictate how you acquire your Driver CPC

• New drivers taking a test (C1, C1+E, C OR C+E LICENCE) will have to obtain one module of the Drivers CPC at the same time as obtaining their licence

• Existing drivers who already hold a licence on September 10th 2009 , have until September 10th 2014 to undergo their 35 hours of periodic training  under the” grandfather rights” rule

• Both new and existing drivers must complete 35 hours ‘periodic training’ within five years to uphold their CPC 

• Failing to keep your CPC valid will be an offence under EU regulations punishable by fines and / or disqualification

• Put simply NO DRIVER CPC, NO ENTITLEMENT TO DRIVE

There are exemptions to the CPC directive including:  vehicles with a maximum authorised speed of 45km p/h; armed forces; civil defence; fire service; emergency vehicles; vehicles used for driver cpc driving lessons; non- commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use and incidental drivers.  Please note this list is not comprehensive and is used as a guide only.