What is driver CPC or DCPC training? Who needs this kind of training? Is it a critical certification, or can you obtain something equivalent?
DCPC, or Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, is a European certification program for buses, coaches, and Lorrie drivers. It is a qualification system implemented to foster road safety and ensure high driving standards. It is an essential certification for drivers, especially in the logistics and shipping. New drivers have to go through a series of tests that include theory and practical sections to get these certificates. Some may find this difficult to achieve and maintain. That’s why training programs for Driver CPC in Sheffield and other cities exist.
Purpose of DCPC training
The primary goal of driver CPC training is to maintain high-quality driving skills, which boosts a driver’s professional image, improves career opportunities, and leads to road safety. This multi-pronged program is a boon for drivers and everyone who uses public roads and highways. Additionally, the DCPC training helps drivers in becoming more efficient. It teaches the strategies to achieve better fuel economy and reduce wear and tear on a vehicle. Simultaneously, it allows drivers reduce their environmental impact as they learn to drive better. Moreover, becoming DCPC qualified means being well-versed in your legal obligations as a large vehicle driver.
Who needs to get a DCPC?
DCPC is a legal requirement for drivers of hauling vehicles with a minimum weight of 3.5 tonnes and passenger-carrying vehicles with at least nine seats. Drivers are exempted, though, if their vehicles have a speed limit of 45 kilometers per hour, are used for non-commercial transport of goods or carriage of passengers, are used or controlled by the UK armed forces and civil defense, and are used for rescue missions in a state of emergency. Likewise, a DCPC is not needed for vehicles on a technical road test and those used in driving lessons for obtaining a driving license or DCPC.
What happens after Brexit?
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence is a result of a European Union Directive. So, what happens to it after the UK leaves the European Union? Will it no longer be compulsory? The answer is that there have been no changes in the DCPC requirement yet, and it’s likely that it will remain in place.
Currently, the UK is still negotiating its terms for leaving the EU, and the drivers CPC is not one of the things expected to be scrapped. In August 2018, it was reported that the driver CPC regime is set to continue as the EU Exit Regulations were laid before the UK Parliament. This continuation is logical. The UK does not plan to withdraw its signature from the European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR), which has provisions on CPC obligations.
Driver CPC is a legally required certificate for UK drivers of vehicles with a specific weight or passenger capacity. Even after Brexit, it will likely remain a requirement, which makes sense considering its goal is to maintain high driving and road safety standards.
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