WHAT IS PERIODIC TRAINING?
Whether you are a coach operator or freelance driver, you will be affected by the Driver CPC Directive. The EU passed the Driver CPC EU Directive in 2003. For new drivers it introduces a new initial qualification, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC), which increases the amount of knowledge that drivers need before they can drive. The initial qualification includes a four hour theory test and a two hour driving and practical test, when combined with licence acquisition tests.
All drivers, new and existing, will then have to undertake 35 hours of training every five years to ensure that their Driver CPC is current. This is known as Periodic Training.
Only courses that have been approved and are being delivered by a training centre that has been approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) on behalf of the Competent Authority will count towards the Periodic Training requirement. Periodic Training is designed to confirm and expand on the existing knowledge and skills of each driver to ensure that they continue to be safe, courteous and fuel efficient drivers.
This will also enable drivers to keep up to date with ever changing regulations and to benefit from training throughout their whole career.
This Directive became effective from 10 September 2008 for the PCV sector and from 10 September 2009 for the LGV sector.
