What Is A CPC Card And When Do You Need It For Your Job?

One of the most important parts of your development as a driver of a heavy vehicle, whether you are transporting goods or passengers, is ensuring you have adequate CPC training to showcase your continued commitment to safe and efficient driving.

Whether you are getting your first CPC Card or going through the 35 hours of training necessary to keep it, this obligation is key for many drivers, especially if you need to or intend to work both in the UK and Europe.

To explain why, here is a brief primer on CPC training, when you need it for your job, and the steps you take to get and keep your accreditation.

What Is A CPC Card?

A CPC card stands for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, a Europe-wide scheme to provide a more unified approach to heavy goods vehicles training and qualifications.

It is typically used to describe both the initial CPC qualification process, as well as the 35 hours of training required every five years to ensure that your skills remain relevant for the road.

When Do You Need A CPC Card For Your Job?

In general, if you drive a lorry that weighs more than 3.5 tonnes, or drive a vehicle that has nine or more seats (and thus qualifies as a minibus or bus), you need a Driver CPC card.

Whilst there are some exceptions for non-commercial use, practically every commercial driving role in the UK, from long-distance haulage to being a driver for meals-on-wheels services, will typically require a CPC card, and even the roles which do not strictly require one benefit from it.

How Do You Get And Keep Your CPC Card?

The CPC card has two stages: getting your initial qualification and renewing it every five years.

Here are the two separate processes.

Getting Your CPC Card

• Get a full driver’s licence.
• Take the part 1 theory test.
• Take the part 2 case studies test.
• Take both the off-road and on-road components of the part 3 test.
• Take the final part 4 practical demonstration test.

Retaining Your CPC Card

Take 35 hours’ worth of CPC training, which needs to be International Driver CPC training accredited if you plan to drive in Europe, and needs to be unique.