The UK government has given the go-ahead to update the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) regulations, aiming to provide more flexible renewal pathways for drivers operating solely within the UK. The new regulations are designed to streamline the training process, reduce costs, and help address the ongoing driver shortage.
The revisions introduce a National CPC for domestic drivers in the UK, alongside an International CPC for those who work across borders. Currently, drivers must complete 35 hours of structured training every five years to renew their CPC. With the updated National CPC, drivers will still complete 35 hours of training, but can now opt for shorter modules of at least 3.5 hours each, making the process more adaptable to varying schedules. Additionally, e-learning options will expand significantly, allowing for stand-alone online modules that are not available under the current system.
A key component of the reform is the “accelerated pathway” option. This pathway will be available to drivers whose CPC certification has lapsed for over 60 days but less than two years, enabling them to take a seven-hour course to receive a temporary one-year National CPC. During this period, they can complete the remaining training hours to regain a full five-year National or International CPC, depending on their operational needs. This measure is aimed at easing reentry into the profession, helping to bolster the driver workforce.
Read more about the planned CPC training changes here:
Driver CPC reform would provide different training for domestic and international lorry drivers
Logistics UK voiced its support for the increased flexibility, with spokesperson Chris Yarsley stressing that it “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 also raised concerns regarding the possibility of replacing some training components with testing, stressing that training provides an essential foundation for safety. Logistics UK underscored that combining training and testing could better safeguard all road users.