The biggest news we have to share with you is the impact of the amends to driver CPC. These changes came into effect from 03 December.
In our opinion, the changes are positive. There's a lot more flexibility involved, which can only be beneficial for HGV drivers who may be driving abroad and those who prefer to remain UK-bound.
For International HGV drivers, not a lot has changed
For international drivers, the criteria remain the same as you are used to.
To stay qualified as an HGV Bus or Coach driver, you need to continue with 35 hours of training every five years to remain legal to drive internationally and domestically.
Courses must be a minimum of 7 hours long.
If that training is split across two days, they must be on consecutive dates.
A maximum of 12 hours of e-learning will contribute towards your 35-hour total.
You must carry your card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally.
The implementation of a new national CPC licence
The most significant change in the licencing arrangements lies in the new national CPC provision.
This licence is only eligible for UK drivers who want to drive domestically. For those who prefer to work closer to home, we can see how this would be a popular choice. However, it's worth noting that the national CPC provision could limit your career options.
International CPC licence holders will be eligible to drive in the UK as well as abroad, while national CPC licence holders will only be eligible for UK routes.
To stay qualified as a driver, training remains set at 35 hours every five years.
However, courses can be shortened to a minimum of 3.5 hours.
Longer courses do not need to take place over consecutive days.
E-learning options are also available, allowing drivers to participate in a 3.5-hour training course online at their home or place of work.
A maximum of 12 hours of e-learning will contribute towards your 35-hour total.
You must carry your card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally.
What does this mean for new bus or coach drivers?
If you are hiring new bus or coach drivers and they are applying for their first CPC licence, they will automatically work towards the international licence for the first five years.
The stricter criteria are essential to ensuring that drivers are fully trained and supported as they begin their careers. It will allow them to choose between UK and EU driving routes.
There are changes to the rules for those returning to professional driving
Under the old rules, if drivers have expired CPC licences and wish to return to professional driving, all they need to do is take 35 hours of training to bring them up to date.
This has now changed depending on how long it has been since your licence expired.
From 01 February 2025, the rules are quite complex.
What to do if your licence expired between 60 days and two years
If your driver CPC card has expired within the last two years, there are now four options that you can consider. You can either complete the entire 35 hours of training or select a "return to driving" module and spread the remainder of the training over the following twelve months.
Option #1 – International Driver CPC training
You can choose to complete 35 hours of the international CPC training (as you were previously used to).
This will make you eligible to drive in the UK and across the EU as soon as your training hours are complete.
Option #2 – National driver CPC training
You can choose to complete the 35 hours of national CPC training.
You will be eligible to drive in the UK.
Option #3 - International Driver CPC training with a "return to driving" module
If you want to start work sooner, you can choose to undertake a seven-hour "return to driving" module.
This will allow you to drive only in the UK.
Within twelve months of completing that "return to driving" module, you must have completed the remaining 28 hours of international CPC driver training.
Once your hours are complete, you will be fully licenced to drive across the EU.
Option #4 - National driver CPC training with a "return to driving" module
If you only want to drive in the UK, taking a "return to driving" module will allow you to start driving professionally again.
Your CPC licence will become valid once you've completed the remaining 28 hours of national CPC training within twelve months.
If your licence expired more than two years ago
If it's been longer than two years since your CPC licence expired, you will need to complete the full 35 hours of international or national CPC training before you can return to professional driving.
CJC Transport specialise in face-to-face learning opportunities
We've built our reputation by delivering exceptional CPC driver training to businesses across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Lincolnshire. From our purpose-built training centre in Great Yarmouth to in-house training provision delivered at your premises, Carl Crysell works hard to ensure that your bus and coach drivers are trained to the highest possible standards.
We believe face-to-face learning offers the best possible opportunity to deliver high-quality training courses. It allows us to tailor our training to individual drivers and ensure that everyone fully understands their responsibilities and requirements.
Investing in high-quality face-to-face training results in better-trained drivers, which leads to fewer accidents and safer roads for everyone.
Discover our CPC training dates for 2025.
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