Driver Hire reflects on DCPC deadline dash
Driver Hire Training has offered its take on the forthcoming periodic training deadline faced by many drivers for the Driver CPC, as well as planned changes to the qualification.
September 2024 marks the end of the third cycle of vocational Driver CPC training – originally introduced fifteen years ago. Over that time, it has become a staple element of the industry, says the company. Following the Brexit vote in 2016, there were rumours that the UK’s decision to leave the EU would lead to the demise of Driver CPC in the UK. This has proved not to be the case; and, says Driver Hire, it could be argued that discussions over its future at government level actually raised its profile and confirmed its worth.
As Transport Operator reported in June, the introduction of slated changes to Driver CPC that the Department for Transport had planned to bring into force this year was thrown into question due to the general election. But, as John Keelan-Edwards, head of Driver Hire Training, points out, the September 2024 deadline is still firmly in place. His advice is to book the required courses early to avoid disappointment, as the dash for the Driver CPC deadline starts to hot up.
“Our experience from the deadlines in 2014 and 2019 is that it will be extremely busy,” he said.
“Back then all training was classroom-based and I recall having to add ‘emergency courses’ to our roster to keep clients’ drivers on the road. In fact, already, a few months away from the deadline, we’re busier than ever, delivering more than 1,000 driver training days every week. Whilst still being tutor-led, all our courses are delivered online so things are more flexible than they were five years ago. As well as weekdays, drivers can complete their Driver CPC training during the evening and at weekends. We’ve plenty of slots available and over 20 modules to choose from.”
Since its launch in 2010, Driver Hire Training has become one of the largest providers of online Driver CPC training. It delivered 57,000 training days in 2023 (that’s some 400,000 hours). The company says it prides itself on providing relevant, industry-related courses, earning satisfaction rates of 98.3 per cent.
The training provider reports seeing strong demand for five-day bookings, suggesting that even though many drivers prefer the ‘doing it in bite-size chunks’, one-day-a-year approach, there are plenty that clearly don’t – and will therefore have to get a lot of training done in the next few weeks to retain their vital DQC card. £1,000 fines await those who are caught driving without it.
Whilst Driver CPC is legally the driver’s responsibility, the practical impact of non-compliant drivers lies with the operator. Nowadays many operators choose to manage their drivers’ DCPC as part of their ongoing HR and compliance process.
“We offer a fully managed service,” Keelan-Edwards continued.
“If a busy transport operator wants its Driver CPC programme taken off its hands, we can do that for them. We’ll assess current compliance levels within the workforce and put together a programme that will deliver the training their drivers need, whilst also fitting in with the operational needs of the business.”
The company contends that larger training providers like Driver Hire Training, running many more courses than smaller operations, can easily find the availability to minimise the impact on the transport operation.
Keelan-Edwards concluded: “The planned changes to Driver CPC are good for the industry. They’ll make it a more flexible, accessible qualification. And, for those considering a career in logistics they create a pathway for them with ongoing investment in personal development. The fact that it will be possible to do modules non-consecutively makes Driver CPC more flexible for drivers, with 3.5 hours of learning a good way to keep people engaged with the training.
“Drivers need to check their DQC card and if it’s due to expire in the next few months, they need to get on and do their training hours as soon as possible. Demand will ramp up as the September deadline approaches, so it’s best to get the training in now.”
