CPC - Driver CPC - CPC Course - Truck CPC - Haulage CPC

Although Driver CPC effects both passenger and truck drivers in the same way we have chosen to differentiate between the two in order to present the information as clearly as possible for our customers. This information is up to date to the best of our knowledge as of the 1st of October 2009.

Below the issues surrounding Truck Driver CPC are addressed:

What is Driver CPC?

Driver CPC is a Certificate in Professional Competence for professional truck and bus drivers. Its purpose is to set and maintain high standards of safety and driving among drivers of trucks and buses across Europe.

Who Driver CPC affects?

Driver CPC affects all truck and bus drivers who hold a relevant full licence from the 10th of September 2008 and the 10th of September 2009 respectively.

If you drive a truck professionally (i.e drive and get paid for it) you will need to undertake Driver CPC training. This applies to all professional truck drivers whether they are full time or part time and whether they drive on public or private roads.

It is important to highlight that Driver CPC will not affect your driving licence. If you do not undertake Driver CPC courses you still have your licence but will not be able to drive professionally.

Contrary to common belief if you hold a Transport Manager CPC you still must complete a Driver CPC.

It is important to highlight that Driver CPC is not the same as Transport Manager CPC. Bus drivers currently holding a Transport Manager CPC will still need to undertake Driver CPC courses.

Driver CPC Exemptions include drivers of:

Vehicles with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 km/h;
Vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order;
Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service;
Vehicles used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions;
Vehicles used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or a CPC;
Vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use;
Vehicles carrying materials or equipment that the driver uses as part of
their work, as long as driving the vehicle is not the driver’s main activity.

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Approved By:

Who enforces Driver CPC?

Under law, the Garda Siochana and RSA Transport Officers have the authority to enforce Driver CPC.

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What are the Penalties?

If you cannot show your Driver CPC you are considered to be in breach of the law and you could get a fine of up to €2,000.
If documentation is found to be fake you could get a fine of up to €5,000.
If you drive without a valid Driver CPC you could get a fine of up to €2,000.
If your company or drivers lets another driver who does not have a valid Driver CPC drive a relevant bus, you and your company may get a fine of up to €5,000.

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When does Driver CPC come into effect?

As of the 10th of September 2009 Driver CPC will be introduced to Ireland for truck drivers. From this date on existing truck drivers will need to partake in one days Driver CPC training per year for the remainder of their professional career. This is referred to as Periodic Training

New truck drivers will have to complete CPC theory and practical tests before obtaining their Driver CPC. However, truck drivers who hold a full truck licence before the 10th of September 2009 have what is called acquired rights. They will have to complete Periodic Training but are omited from having to complete practical and theory CPC tests.

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What is Periodic Training?

Periodic training consists of at least 35 hours training every five years. This must be broken up into blocks of 7 hours training per year. In other words, truck drivers must complete a Driver CPC course for one day each year.

It is important to note that these courses must be spread out over the course of 5 years and drivers cannot undertake more than one days Driver CPC training per year. It does not involve a driving test or assessment.

Periodic training will help truck drivers improve their knowledge and skills to make sure they are drivers of the highest professional standard. It will also help them keep up to date with changes in the industry and to benefit from training throughout their professional career.

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How do I obtain my Driver CPC Card?

It takes five years (one day course per year consisting of 7 hours training) to obtain your Driver CPC. If you complete all your periodic training within the 5 years you will receive a card recording your Driver CPC, your photograph and your signature. If you do not complete all your training within the 5 year timeframe you will not be eligible for a Driver CPC card and therefore you will not qualify to work as a professional driver. Periodic training must still be completed each year after recieving your Driver CPC card in order to keep it valid.

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What are the Benefits of Driver CPC?

Both professional drivers and the haulage and transport industries will benefit from the introduction of Driver CPC in Ireland. Some of these benefits are:

Better, Safer Drivers
Driver CPC means that professional drivers will have better driving skills. This will lead to less casualties on our roads, and protect more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists, children and older people. It will also save your employer the costs of vehicle repair and loss of trade.

Environmental and Economic Benefits
The “Momenta Report” for the Department for Transport in the UK (on the Safe and Fuel Efficient Driver Training Programme Autumn 2005) showed that the right driver training would reduce fuel consumption by an average 9.5%. Even reducing it by 5% would save 169,000 tonnes of oil a year, or about 192 million litres @ €1.20 a litre. Reduced fuel consumption combined with better use of load transportation will reduce costs. Every tonne saved would save about €1,400.

Hiring Professional Drivers
The drivers’ profession will be regulated to make sure that all professional drivers have the skills they need to work in the industry. The introduction of Driver CPC will create a level playing field for the passenger and road haulage industry. Quality standards will improve and they will be monitored and maintained to a high quality which matches the best in Europe.

Healthier Drivers
There are concerns for all professional drivers about their health, lifestyle, eating habits, symptoms and effects of fatigue and stress and work life balance. Periodic training will help address these issues.

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Driver CPC Course Content

Driver CPC consists of 5 modules in total. Each module takes one day training to complete. Therefore, you will complete one module per year. Once you have completed your 5 year Driver CPC, the cycle will begin again with you undertaking one of the 5 modules per year.

Driver CPC Course Content
Module 1	Control of the Vehicle and Eco-driving techniques
Module 2	Minimising Risks and Managing Emergencies
Module 3	Health and Safety of the Professional Driver
Module 4	Role of the Professional Driver in Transport
Module 5	The Professional Truck Driver

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What if I also hold a Bus licence and want to keep my Driver CPC updated for both licences?

If you hold both a truck and bus licence you will need to complete 6 days training over 5 years.

When viewing the table below please keep in mind that Driver CPC is run in 5 year blocks. Once the first 5 year block of training is complete the process of training modules will begin again.

Driver CPC Modules
Bus				Truck
Block 1	Year 1	10 Sep 2008 - 31 Dec 2009	Module 1			-	1 day for bus
	Year 2	10 Sep 2009 - 10 Sep 2010	Module 2	Block 1	Year 1	Module 2	1 day will cover bus and truck
	Year 3	10 Sep 2010 - 10 Sep 2011	Module 3		Year 2	Module 3	1 day will cover bus and truck
	Year 4	10 Sep 2011 - 10 Sep 2012	Module 4		Year 3	Module 4	1 day will cover bus and truck
	Year 5	10 Sep 2012 - 10 Sep 2013	Module 5 bus specific		Year 4	Module 5 truck specific	1 days training for bus and seperate 1 days training for truck
Block 2	Year 1	10 Sep 2013 - 10 Sep 2014	Module 1		Year 5	Module 1	1 day will cover bus and truck

If you have any queries about the information outlined in the table above please call us on 087 923 4688.

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What if I have a truck licence but do not drive professionlly but want to keep my options open?

Driver CPC is ran in 5 year blocks of 1 days training per year each of 7 hours duration.

If you have a truck licence but do not drive professionally and do not see yourself driving a truck professionally within the next 5 years you will not have to undertake Driver CPC.

If you start to drive professionally within the Driver CPC 5 year block you will need to complete all Driver CPC modules to catch up with other drivers.

For example driver CPC comes into effect from September 2009 for truck drivers and you do not drive professionally at this time but decide to do so in 2011. In this case you will need to 'catch up' with other professional truck drivers. You will need to complete 3 modules of Driver CPC in that year before you can drive professionally.

If you have any questions regarding this situation please call us on 087 923 4688.

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How can I book my Driver CPC Course?

You can book your Driver CPC course with us online or you can call our course director - John Connell on 087 923 4688 to book your place.

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Where can I complete my Driver CPC Course?

You can complete your Driver CPC Course at any of our training centres. We currently have 3 training centres throughout Galway - Menlo Park Hotel, Headford Road, Galway; FAS, Mervue Industrial Estate, Galway; and Carlton Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Phone our Course Director - John Connell on 087 923 4688 for more information.

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Why will I book my Driver CPC course with CPC Wise?

CPC Wise are specialist Driver CPC trainer providers. Our course tutors come highly qualified holding both C and D licences, are members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, hold teaching degrees and relevant trainer certificates and have a wealth of experience within the transport industry.

CPC Wise offers:

innovative and interactive learning techniques
open classroom environment conductive to easy learning
application to real driving life
full student support service
course manual and comprehensive handouts which can be used for reference after your course is complete
multimedia displays
practical advice and knowledge which is relevant to your role on the road
a certificate of module completion which you can use to show you are Driver CPC compliant.

To book your course contact our Course Director - John Connell on 087 923 4688 for further information and upcoming course dates.

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