DVSA: being unaware of Driver CPC rules ‘is no excuse’

While the majority of truck and bus drivers have engaged with the Driver CPC training process, a significant minority of truck drivers may not take part in it.

The Department for Transport is unable to provide any breakdown as to what proportion of Driver CPC trainees are from the passenger sector (which had to complete their first 35 hours of training by September of last year) and what proportion are truck drivers (who have to complete their first 35 hours of training before September 10 of this year) but have recorded 694,638 drivers are participating in training during 2013.

Of these, around 300,000 competed five training sessions or more, 125,000 four sessions, 90,000 three, 75,000 two and 90,000 one session.

There are no statistics available at all as to how many drivers required training overall, so the Department for Transport is unable to suggest how many drivers have yet to engage with the training process. However, a survey by driver recruitment agency Milestone late in 2012 suggested that seven per cent of truck drivers on its database had no intention of participating at all.  This figure did not include those who would reach retirement prior to implementation.

Milestone said: “This is very concerning for us because all indications show that the rate of new licence acquisition will not be adequate to replace these drivers.”

There was also a considerable regional variation in the acceptance of Driver CPC. Twelve per cent of Milestone’s drivers in the North East said they would not take part in it, while all those asked in the South East said that they would.  Drivers who had completed training found courses covering driving regulations the most useful, and first aid and fuel-efficient driving the least useful.

Drivers without the DCPC face fines of up to £1,000, and their employers could have their operator licences suspended.  Anton Balkitis, head of road transport law and regulatory compliance at Rothera Sharp Solicitors, pointed out that one PCV operator has already had action taken against its O-licence for using non-compliant drivers.

The Department for Transport has urged all freight operators to audit the Driver CPC status of their drivers, pointing out that new drivers and drivers will acquired rights will have different status.

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (incorporating VOSA), which is tasked with Driver CPC enforcement, warned: “We’re continuing to check the Driver CPC status of all drivers. In 2013 we took forward 36 prosecutions and imposed 50 fixed penalty notices to lorry drivers and operators, and 21 fixed penalty notices to bus and coach drivers for failure to produce or have evidence of initial qualification, periodic training or exemption. We imposed fines of up to £1,000 to operators and up to £400 to drivers.

“Not being aware of Driver CPC is no excuse. Drivers must complete this training if they want to continue driving professionally.”