By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Driver CPC reform proposals include pass or fail option
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Bus > Driver CPC reform proposals include pass or fail option
BusCoachDriversLegalNewsOperatorsTop Story

Driver CPC reform proposals include pass or fail option

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: March 2, 2023
Share
Driver CPC reform proposals published by Department for Transport
SHARE

Long-awaited proposed changes to reform the Driver CPC scheme have been published by the Department for Transport (DfT). They follow a review that was first floated in 2021 and are headlined by plans to create parallel national and international DCPC qualifications and scope to introduce a pass or fail approach to certain aspects of the mechanism.

Contents
Periodic test for national Driver CPC part of reform proposals‘Initial test re-sit’ alternative uses initial DCPC modulesStreamlined return where DCPC expired in some circumstancesDriver CPC reform plans include ‘digital DQC’

The alterations are subject to a consultation that opened on 2 March. They apply only to drivers who are renewing or regaining their DCPC, and not to those obtaining an initial qualification. Where drivers wish to drive internationally, the existing DCPC route must be maintained, but for those who will only drive within Great Britain the proposed national DCPC is in play.

Whether this national DCPC will capture Northern Ireland is unclear. That will be down to “if the authorities there agree,” the consultation states. The proposed international DCPC will also permit domestic driving. If the plans are adopted, it will not be necessary for a driver to hold both qualifications.

DfT says that the proposed reform of DCPC “will harness the UK’s post-Brexit freedoms” and will assist in the attraction and retention of vocational drivers. It has been welcomed by trade bodies the Confederation of Passenger Transport and RHA.

Periodic test for national Driver CPC part of reform proposals

Key to the proposed introduction of a national DCPC is an increase in flexibility, reduction in the cost of training and the time burden, and the enablement of faster industry re-entry for returning drivers.

Driver CPC reform proposals published by Department for Transport
The pass or fail option for the new national DCPC qualification will greatly simplify the process for existing and returning drivers

Under the plans, the national DCPC will include a periodic test option with a pass or fail approach that would remove the current need for 35 hours’ training per five-year period.

The preferred option for periodic testing would involve 50 multiple choice and situational judgement questions.

It is expected that those would capture areas including drivers’ hours and tachographs, defensive and eco-safe driving, disability awareness and counter terrorism among others.

Under this method, the test would be open to drivers seeking to maintain or regain their qualification. Passing the test would provide a five-year entitlement to drive domestically. DfT expects that process to last 60-90 minutes and cost no more than £70.

‘Initial test re-sit’ alternative uses initial DCPC modules

Consideration is also being given to an “initial test re-sit” option via the periodic testing mechanism. It would involve drivers resitting module 1 and module 2 of the initial DCPC, which involve tests. This approach is more complicated, but the consultation suggests that it could act as an interim solution while the preferred 50-question test is finalised.

Proposed periodic testing sits alongside a further option for national DCPC, described as “reformed training.” It would maintain the existing 35 hours’ training per five-year period approach, but with changes to how that tuition may be delivered.

Via the reformed training route for national DCPC there would be no minimum course duration, and where a course is split, no requirement for it to be completed across two consecutive days. That would also apply to e-learning delivery, scope for which is extended via the proposed reform.

Streamlined return where DCPC expired in some circumstances

Where drivers whose DCPC has lapsed and they wish to regain a national DCPC qualification, the proposals will allow them to follow what is termed a “specific return pathway.” Two options are under consideration: The periodic test proposal above, and what is referred to as “return to driving training.”

Drivere CPC reform proposals published by Department for Transport
The proposals capture many areas of Driver CPC, including where drivers return to industry after their qualification has lapsed

For returning drivers, the periodic test proposal would be the same two options being considered for its deployment for drivers whose DCPC has not lapsed, as above.

The “return to driving training” module is expected to last for seven hours. Full details are contained in the consultation document, but completion of further training later would be required in this circumstance.

Only drivers whose DCPC qualification had lapsed by more than two months but less than two years could use either of these streamlined return methods.

Driver CPC reform plans include ‘digital DQC’

Other proposals put forward include short-term, time-limited extensions to existing DCPCs and exemptions from the need to hold a valid DCPC where it has expired recently, both under exceptional circumstances. The consultation notes that those are likely to relate to “critical supply chains, among other things.”

Potential for an electronic Driver Qualification Card is also raised in the consultation. That could involve a marker or ‘flag’ being placed on the driver’s record. It would apply only to the planned national DCPC.

DfT acknowledges that if the overarching proposals are adopted, they “would result in more complexity within the DCPC regime,” as they would create two qualifications with three routes to periodic renewal. A potential need for a driver to switch from national to international qualification is central of that.

The consultation runs to 27 April. Responses can be made via an electronic survey, by email or by post. DfT will hold a free webinar between 1800-1900hrs on 14 March to explain the proposed changes, for which places can be booked now. It will include a question-and-answer session. A recording will be shared afterwards.

Implementation dates for the proposed reform is yet to be confirmed because legislative change is required to deliver them.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
Previous Article First Bus orders a further 117 Wrightbus electric buses First Bus orders 117 more Wrightbus battery-electrics
Next Article bus accessibility Bus Users UK survey on accessibility launched
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd