Negotiations between the EU institutions on the changes to the Driver CPC rules were concluded at the end of last year.
Although the formal texts – which will be probably be signed off in March – are not available yet, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) understands it is expected that:
– There will be an explicit option of delivering seven hours of training in two sessions over two consecutive days
– There will be an exemption for maintenance staff driving PCVs to local maintenance bases
– The unhelpful proposal to force drivers to take five different modules in each five-year period has been softened.
The text that CPT has seen says “At least one of the training course periods shall cover a road safety related subject.
“The content of the training shall take into account relevant legal and technological developments and should, as far as possible, take into account specific training needs of the driver.
“A range of different subjects should be covered over the 35 hours, including repeat training where it is shown that the driver needs specific remedial training.”
The CPT says that its EU specialists, Paul White and Steven Salmon, are “pleased with this pragmatic outcome,” which is the result of clear and united industry positions, coupled with close communication with the decision makers.