From 3rd December 2024, CPC rules in the UK are changing and you’ll have to choose which qualification you want. You’ll now have the option of a National Driver CPC or the International Driver CPC, and you may have more say in how you complete the training. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a bus, lorry or coach driver based in the West Midlands and across the UK.
Why Are the Driver CPC Rules Changing?
The government ran a consultation on DCPC back in 2023, and has been looking into how it will be implemented. As a result, they’ve settled on a plan that’s designed to be more flexible for UK and international drivers.
The big change is that the new UK-only qualification lets you take shorter courses, and they don’t have to be taken on consecutive days. It’s part of a plan to help drivers get back into the industry, and encourage them to stay there by making it easier to fit around a busy schedule.
How Do I Get the New CPC Qualification?
You’ll be issued with a new driver qualification card (DQC) that indicates which option you’ve selected to follow. There are two routes for your driver training going forward, and they follow similar lines but with a few key differences depending on whether you’ll be driving in the EU as well as the UK.
International Driver CPC
The new International Driver CPC qualification takes over from the previous Driver CPC – it works in a similar way, and lets you drive in the UK and EU.
- 35 hours of International Driver CPC driver training
- Retake the training every 5 years
- It can include 12 hours of e-learning
- You must complete courses over a 7-hour day or two consecutive days
National Driver CPC
The new National Driver CPC is more flexible in the training structure, but will only qualify you to drive within the UK. There are two routes to complete your training under the National Driver CPC, and these are the main options.
- Complete only National Driver CPC training
- Combine National and International Driver CPC training
Whichever option you choose, you’ll have to complete 35 hours of driver training every 5 years. But the National Driver CPC course rules are more flexible, allowing for shorter course lengths across different dates.
To get or renew your National Driver CPC qualification, you can study in various ways.
- Minimum course length of 3½ hours (longer is fine)
- Split courses don’t have to take place on consecutive days
- It can include 12 hours of e-learning
- A 3½ hour course can be completed entirely through e-learning, with no instructor input
The government guide to Driver CPC changes sets out all the details you need.
How Can I Renew My DCPC?
New rules are coming into effect from February 2025 that will affect you renew your Driver CPC, so make sure you’re aware if yours is set to expire. If it expired between 6 and 24 months ago, you can choose whether to:
- Follow the existing process – complete 35 hours of International Driver CPC training to continue working in the UK and EU
- Complete the 7-hour ‘return to driving’ course, resume driving in the UK, then take a further 28 hours of International DCPC training within a year to drive in the EU
- Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC Training to resume driving work in the UK
- Complete a 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module and start driving in the UK again, then sit another 28 hours of National or International Driver CPC training to resume driving work in the UK
If your existing qualifications expired over 2 years ago, you’ll have to pass through a full 35 hours of Driver CPC training.Remember, you will also need to maintain your driving licence and meet the health recommendations as usual. If you need to renew your HGV and bus driving licence, you can book a driver medical in the West Midlands with My Driver Medical.