Is CPC required for Class 1 licence pre Sept 2009

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

I am a returning, lapsed HGV driver. Passed Cat B 1983. Passed Class 2 HGV 1993. Passed HGV Class 1 1996. Therefore I understand I have aquired ‘Grandfather’ rights from what I have read on GOV.UK. I read it as I do NOT need the requirement of a CPC, the 35 hours of online training, as opposed to drivers qualifying after 10 September 2009.

gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver/requalifying
"Who has acquired rights?

Returning to be an HGV or bus driver

If you previously qualified, you do not have to do the full qualification process again to bring your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) up to date.

Check and renew your licence

If you’re not sure whether your licence is still valid, you can check what vehicles you’re allowed to drive.

You need to renew your licence if it’s expired.

Bring your Driver CPC up to date

What you need to do depends on when you originally got your heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus licence.

Some employers offer help with the cost of training.

If you got an HGV licence before 10 September 2009 or a bus licence before 10 September 2008

You can either:
●complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training by finding and taking training coursestake and pass the Driver CPC part 2 (case studies) and the Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests

●If you’ve already taken parts 2 and 4 of the Driver CPC tests, you cannot take them again. You must take 35 hours of training instead."

If you’re an HGV driver who gained your licence prior to 10 September 2009 then you have acquired right, since it was only beyond this point that CPC became part of your formal qualification. This applies to Cat C, C1, C+E and C1+E licences for vocational use.

I do need to re-activate my Class 1 with a medical which is booked for end Nov. With D2 & D4 sent back to the DVLA in Swansea that should put the entitlement back onto my licence showing Class 1 qualified.

I have paid for & obtained my Digi Tacho Card (£32) even though again never used Tacho even when I last drove commercially as analogue was just coming into the industry when I left it via agency work.

Searching the forums, I cannot find anything that confirms this as stated clearly on GOV website.

So to clarify my question, do I therefore, legally, need the DCPC to drive with my pre 10th Sept 2009 obtained HGV licence?

2

Yes.
You need to do 35 hours before your first paid job and every 5 years thereafter.

You have the option of doing the mod 2 and 4 case study and test but it won’t save you any money, just shorter time

3

nigeats:
I

You can either:
●complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training by finding and taking training coursestake and pass the Driver CPC part 2 (case studies) and the Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests
?

These are 2 separate bullet points you don’t need to do both. Look at your link again.

4

There is no one on this forum working without Dcpc.

5

Need 35 hours driver cpc now before you start driving commercially - that will get you your first DQC which will last for 5 years
During the 5 years of the first DQC you get another 35 hours for the next 5 years and so on

6

As ROG said you need to do the 35 hours of periodic training, the good news is that you can now do it online.

Your grandfather rights were only for the first 5 years of the Driver CPC and expired in September 2014.