What Is CPC and How Do I Find a Training Provider?

What is CPC and how do I find a training provider? This is a question we frequently hear at the HGV Training Centre. Fortunately, we can provide both the answer and the training drivers need. We are approved under the Driver CPC scheme here in the UK.

The CPC acronym stands for ‘Certificate of Professional Competence’. Under the Driver CPC scheme, every professional HGV and PCV driver must have a valid CPC certificate at all times when working. Earning a certificate is a matter of undergoing the required amount of training every five years. The scheme was initially developed across Europe about ten years ago as a means of ensuring all professional drivers could demonstrate a minimum level of competence for as long as they continue to work.

Rolling deadlines for licenced drivers to complete CPC training came and went in 2013 for PCV drivers and 2014 for HGV drivers. At this point, that means every professional driver on the road should have a valid certificate. That certificate is good for five calendar years from the day it is earned. If you earn a certificate in 2015, it will be valid through until December 31, 2020.

In order to continue driving, you must undergo 35 hours of training at some point in 2020. Completion of that training will result in a new certificate valid through until 2025. Your training can cover virtually anything having to do with your job as long as it is untaken by an approved training provider offering sanctioned courses. New drivers are automatically provided training.

Finding a Training Provider

The easiest way to find a training provider is to go to the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training website and utilise their search tool. Additionally, you can look on the websites of training companies to see if they include the official Driver CPC logo. You will find the logo at the bottom of every page on our site.

Scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see a white, black and green logo that says ‘Driver CPC’. You’ll also see our approved centre number under the logo. Every training company that uses the logo to advertise themselves as an authorised training centre must include their government issued number. This is proof that they are indeed approved to provide CPC training.

As an approved Driver CPC training provider, we offer a full range of training programmes that you or your company can utilise to meet your legal requirements. If you are looking for training not found on our site, we urge you to contact us regardless. It is likely that we can custom design a training programme that will benefit the unique needs of your business while also meeting minimum requirements for CPC training.

The HGV Training Centre is a leading provider of commercial driver training with 45 facilities across the UK. We would be happy to provide the Driver CPC training you or your team needs.

Sources:

1. UK – https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-training
2. JAUPT – https://www.jaupt.org.uk/centre/specialised-training/ac01822