The Government has today (Monday 11 December) announced reforms to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC).
The RHA has long campaigned for reform of Driver CPC to increase its flexibility whilst acknowledging the importance of continuous training ensuring professionalism and safety standards are maintained.
The Government proposals include the following reforms for drivers operating in the UK to be introduced in the summer of 2024:
- Reducing the minimum course length from seven hours to three and a half hours. The total of 35 hours every five years remains.
- Decoupling e-learning from trainer-led courses to allow more at-home learning.
- In spring 2025, introducing a fast route for drivers to return to the workforce through a seven-hour course.
- The existing qualification will remain for drivers who operate internationally.
Declan Pang, RHA Director of Public Affairs and Policy, England, said: “We support the proposals for greater flexibility in how the 35 hours of training is delivered, greater use of e-learning and a fast route for returning drivers.
We note that The Government will consult further on introducing a new periodic test as an alternative to 35 hours of training for drivers looking to renew their DCPC. We believe the periodic test alone is not in line with maintaining safety standards unless it is combined with mandatory training. Therefore, if a test option was to be introduced, it can only be alongside formal training.”
The reforms effectively create two DCPC routes – national and international.
The Department for Infrastructure (DFI) in Northern Ireland has confirmed they will replicate these reforms in the region.
More information on the announcement can be found here.
Responding to the recommendations from the Government, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)’s Operations Director Keith McNally said: “Whilst we welcome the limited amount of additional flexibility that the Government recommendations will introduce, parts of the bus and coach sector are continuing to experience significant driver shortages and this announcement is a lost opportunity in terms of helping address those.
“We are very disappointed that the minimum course duration recommended is 3.5 hours; the proposal for shorter course modules would have enabled drivers to undertake some training on normal working days, rather than taking them from behind the wheel for a whole day.
“Measures to make it easier for drivers to return to a driving role are now not expected until 2025 and proposals to introduce a periodic test option as an alternative to 35 hours of training will also be subject to further consultation. In light of the driver shortages that continue to be seen, we had hoped for rapid progress after the consultation in March 2023.”
Responding to the recommendations from the Government, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)’s Operations Director Keith McNally said: “Whilst we welcome the limited amount of additional flexibility that the Government recommendations will introduce, parts of the bus and coach sector are continuing to experience significant driver shortages and this announcement is a lost opportunity in terms of helping address those.
“We are very disappointed that the minimum course duration recommended is 3.5 hours; the proposal for shorter course modules would have enabled drivers to undertake some training on normal working days, rather than taking them from behind the wheel for a whole day.
“Measures to make it easier for drivers to return to a driving role are now not expected until 2025 and proposals to introduce a periodic test option as an alternative to 35 hours of training will also be subject to further consultation. In light of the driver shortages that continue to be seen, we had hoped for rapid progress after the consultation in March 2023.”
Changes to e-learning under the National DCPC will see a relaxation of existing restrictions.
It will now be the case that a maximum allowance of 12 hours’ e-learning will be applicable per 35 hours of training and with no requirement that only two hours’ e-learning is allowed per trainer-led module, or that split modules must be completed on consecutive days.
In further aspects of the DCPC reform work, DfT will proceed with introducing a “specific return pathway” to navigate National DCPC for drivers whose qualification has lapsed.
One option will be the taking of a seven-hour return to training module, available from spring 2025. The remaining 28 hours will be required within 12 months. In this case, eligibility will be subject to a window of ‘two months to two years’ for the period away from driving.
Alternatively – and subject to the further consultation outlined above – a returning driver may be able to take the same periodic test that is in hand for those renewing a National DCPC. There would be no time conditions imposed on the lapse period under this approach.
On proposals to replace the physical driver qualification card with a digital alternative, further assessment of legislation around that is required. Such a proposal will “therefore be kept under review,” DfT says. Notably, Nottingham City Transport opposed this measure, although across all respondents, a majority were in support.
TTC welcomed the move to reduce the minimum course length from 7 hours down to 3.5 hours and decoupling of e-learning from trainer-led courses.
“These changes, which recognise that time is money but not at the cost of safety, will protect drivers and fleet operators striving to achieve best practice and improve operational efficiencies,” said Jim Kirkwood, CEO of TTC.
“We anticipated that the Government’s consultation would ultimately lead to a step-change in the process of renewing and regaining DCPC qualifications, but we are particularly delighted with the increased flexibility with which drivers will soon be able to achieve the required 35 hours of periodic training.
“In preparation for reform, we have already introduced a wide variety of 3.5-hour modules into our Driver CPC periodic training programme. These shorter, sharper blocks of learning allow us to cover multiple core subjects within the current 7-hour course structure offering more effective and cost-efficient use of training hours for drivers and their employers. The format of our 3.5-hour modules are perfectly placed to be adapted to meet shorter Driver CPC training course requirements. In addition, reducing the minimum duration of courses by half gives operators and drivers the flexibility to cover more subjects within their 35 periodic training hours, better meeting individual driver needs and increasing levels of engagement.
“Decoupling e-learning from trainer-led courses is another significant move that will vastly improve the convenience for drivers who will be able to undertake their training, around their work and personal schedules with greater ease. This, combined with the shorter trainer-led courses makes it easier for drivers to remain DCPC compliant.”
Supporting the DfT’s decision to consult further on the introduction of a new periodic test as an alternative to 35 hours of training, Jim Kirkwood concludes, “Moving to periodic testing as an alternative for domestic drivers would be a significant shift and not one that can be implemented without ensuring that any new testing framework is robust and doesn’t put drivers, operators and other road users at risk.”
