Plans to prevent drivers from completing the same Driver CPC (DCPC) module more than once during the same five-year period could limit their abilities to keep up with changes in legislation.
In a surprise move the European Commission (EC) has published proposals of changes designed to stop drivers repeatedly doing the same course – a major criticism of the current scheme – but it means that safety-related courses, such as first aid and drivers hours that include updates would not be allowed to be taken more than once, during the five years.
The new wording ensures that the DCPC includes at least one subject on road safety. It also requires that the training is relevant for the work carried out by the specific driver and that it is up to date and relevant.
Other changes are that ADR can only be counted as 7-hour periodic training (currently it can be up to 21 hours)
There are numerous minor post-implementation issues that will be clarified following the ending of the ‘transitional period’ on 10 September 2016.
However, the timescale on these proposals isn’t known and EU legislative changes have a very long gestation period, says Association of Trainers CEO Alec Horner.
“Any changes will probably be post-Brexit, as changes take up to two years to implement from the date of publication in The European Journal.
“From previous discussions and debates, I don’t believe that DVSA will support most of these changes.”
Already, the DVSA has said that despite EC summary, there are no proposed changes to age limits for PCV drivers in the UK, so 18 year olds can still drive a PCV on local bus services (up to 50km).
LINKS TO THE DOCUMENTS AND A DVSA SURVEY
A DVSA survey about what you think of the changes is here
The EC Directive changes are here
The EC Impact Statements are here (part one) and here (part two)
