If you drive a certain type of vehicle, you may need to carry out a few tasks or risk a hefty fine.
According to GOV.UK, you must do 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to drive a lorry, bus or coach." If you do not follow this rule, "you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC" it warns.
This means that if you drive these vehicles, for example, as part of your work, you may need to check your standing to ensure you won't be slapped with a fine. In order to become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver, you need to:
- have a full car licence
- be over 18 - but there are some exceptions
- get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
GOV.UK notes: "You must have the full Driver CPC if you drive an HGV, bus or coach as the main part of your job. There are 5 tests that make up the full Driver CPC. You might not need to take all 5 tests, for example, if you previously qualified as an HGV driver and you want to retrain."
It suggests using the check your Driver CPC periodic training hours service to keep track of the training hours you’ve completed in the current 5-year period. You only need to complete one set of training every five years if you drive both lorries and buses professionally.
It further notes that it's "illegal to drive professionally if your training is not complete by your deadline." If you have missed the deadline, you cannot drive professionally until you’ve finished training.
Drivers are reassured: "Any training you’ve already done counts for 5 years from the date you took the course. You do not lose it because you’ve passed your deadline. The training will not count towards the 35 hours total if you took it more than 5 years ago."
That's not the only fine you can get. You can also get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card.
The officials explain that when you have finished 35 hours of periodic training or completed a Return to Driving CPC course, you’ll get your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card. The card is sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’ and you must carry this card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally.
How to book adrivingtheory test
People must have resided in England, Wales, or Scotland for a minimum of 185 days within the 12 months preceding the date of their theory or driving test.
Lorry and bus tests cost:
- part 1a (multiple-choice questions) - £26
- part 1b (hazard perception) - £11
- part 2 (case studies) - £23
You can book your theory test here.
How to book a practical driving test
When booking your official test, you’ll need to contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you require an 'upgrade' test. This applies to situations such as when you're moving from an automatic to a manual vehicle, or from a medium-sized lorry to a large lorry.
You can book your driving test here.
You should read how to become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver here. You can also find Driver CPC training courses for qualified drivers here.
