The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) is an essential qualification for drivers of goods or passenger vehicles, originally introduced into UK law as a result of EU legislation.
Under the current system, drivers must pass four tests, including a two-part theory test, case studies, a practical driving test and a practical demonstration of vehicle operation.
Periodic renewal requires the completion of 35 hours of training every five years.
A shortened course length for domestic drivers
The proposed reforms provide for two parallel qualifications – the National DCPC (N-DCPC) for domestic driving within Great Britain and potentially Northern Ireland, and the I-DCPC for international driving, in line with the existing UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
To maintain or re-acquire the DCPC, drivers in Great Britain and potentially Northern Ireland could choose one of two routes under the N-DCPC; reformed training or periodic testing.
The I-DCPC renewal process will remain unchanged, ensuring compliance with EU regulations.
The reforms aim to increase flexibility by removing mandatory requirements for specific course durations. Currently, training modules must be 7 hours long, or 3.5 hours if split, with both parts completed on two consecutive days.
The proposed changes aim to remove these rigid requirements and reduce costs. Completing 35 hours of traditional DCPC training costs between £250 and £500. In contrast, a new periodic test to renew the DCPC is expected to take 1 to 1.5 hours and cost in the region of £40 to £70 per attempt.
The periodic test is designed to test a driver’s safety and professional knowledge, focusing on a core range of material.
In addition, the acceptance of shorter training courses as part of the reformed training option aims to encourage better retention of learning.
With an annual average of nearly 150,000 drivers completing the periodic renewal of their DCPC, the proposed changes recognise the resource-intensive nature of the current training system. While the reforms aim to increase flexibility, the government acknowledges that concerns about potential confusion, complexity and associated costs are being considered.
There is currently no legal mechanism in place to implement these proposed changes. The government intends to proceed with legislative adjustments as soon as parliamentary time is available.
In addition, implementation schedules have yet to be confirmed, so there will be no immediate impact on the current periodic renewal cycles of the DCPC.
Changes will bring flexibility to industry, says Logistics UK
The proposed changes will give the logistics industry flexibility in how and when training is taken, according to business group Logistics UK.
According to Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager, Road Freight Regulation, the new regulations will introduce more flexibility and better targeted training for the businesses on which the whole of the economy relies:
“Road safety is the bedrock on which professional drivers operate,” he says, “and the Driver CPC regime is at the heart of this commitment. As we enter the next five-year cycle of training and qualifications for the nation’s HGV drivers, Logistics UK is heartened to see that government’s new legislation will provide more flexibility for professional drivers to undertake training in smaller blocks of time (35 hours in blocks of 3.5 hours is now permitted, rather than blocks of 7hrs) while still attaining the standards required. The increased flexibility that the new legislation will permit will enable logistics businesses to keep goods moving through the supply chain, while ensuring that their drivers remain up to date on key professional driving legislation.”
Yarsley adds that the new training system will help to ease the pressure on driver vacancies:
“Under the new legislation, to be laid before Parliament in the spring, lapsed drivers will be able to start their return to the workforce with a seven hour course, which will provide driving rights for one year while they complete their full CPC qualification. This is good news for businesses still finding it hard to recruit new drivers to the sector, and ease the passage back into the workforce for those returning to the industry – with time available for them to undertake their full CPC training.”
At the same time, Yarsley also expresses reservations about the proposed changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC). He emphasizes the heavily regulated nature of HGV driving due to the inherent risks involved for drivers and other road users.
According to Mr. Yarsley, the industry remains concerned about the proposal’s shift from training to a periodic test. In the view of Logistics UK members, this change is perceived as insufficient for adequately assessing and evaluating drivers’ abilities, leading Mr. Yarsley to advocate for discounting this approach.
Highlighting the paramount importance of the safety of all road users, Mr. Yarsley asserts that Logistics UK, in alignment with the broader industry, will persist in pressuring the government. The objective is to ensure that professional drivers can continue to move goods both within the UK and overseas safely and effectively. This statement underscores the industry’s commitment to maintaining rigorous standards in driver competence and safety amidst evolving regulatory frameworks.
Declan Pang, RHA Director of Public Affairs and Policy, England, voices support for certain aspects of the proposed changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC). He endorses the proposals for increased flexibility in the delivery of the 35 hours of training, an expanded use of e-learning, and a streamlined process for returning drivers.
However, Pang expresses a notable concern about the potential introduction of a new periodic test as an alternative to the mandatory 35 hours of training for DCPC renewal.
While acknowledging the government’s intention to consult further on this matter, Pang asserts that the periodic test alone may not align with maintaining safety standards unless it is combined with mandatory training. As a result, he suggests that if a test option is introduced, it should only be alongside formal training to ensure the continued emphasis on safety standards in the industry.