The Government is carrying out a review of Driver CPC to see how it can be improved to help ease HGV driver shortages. The review will be informed by input from a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of drivers, road transport operators, employers, trainers and road safety groups. The review will explore whether:
- different training requirements should apply for experienced drivers
- the current requirement for 35 hours periodic training should be more evenly spread over the 5-year period
- drivers new to Driver CPC should cover a specific range of topics
- 7 hours (or 3.5 hour sessions split across 2 days) for each training course is too rigid
- Driver CPC should include non-professional drivers
- there should be more of an obligation for employers to support drivers with the cost of training
- Driver CPC qualifications obtained in the EU should continue to be recognised in the UK for drivers moving to live and work here
The Government continues to work with the industry to look at new ways to improve both vocational driver recruitment and retention to help tackle the driver shortage. The review will look at how Driver CPC can be updated to ensure it doesn’t act as a barrier to working in the sector whilst still maintaining road safety standards.
We will keep you updated on the review and recommendations that will be made.
JAUPT cannot currently provide further information on the scope or likely outcomes of this review.