By September 2014 all lorry drivers in Europe must have completed 35 hours of training in compliance with Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) requirements.
However, industry figures tell a different story and, according to the FTA, nearly half of members surveyed claim that meeting their EU driver training requirements is a ‘major concern’, second only to rising fuel costs.
The DCPC was introduced over two years ago, but industry concerns – including an annual driver employment churn in some sectors of up to 20 per cent – have made industry reluctant to invest in this compulsory training.
Isobel Harding, FTA’s National Training Manager, said: “Tough trading conditions, high fuel costs and traditionally slim profit margins mean that budgets are stretched across the industry; it is therefore understandable that uptake has been sluggish. While awareness of these training obligations is high, there is a manifest reluctance from industry to invest in training drivers when there is a good chance that by the time the deadline comes around those same drivers might be working elsewhere. But this approach could leave many companies twisting in the wind as the deadline approaches and demand for good value and meaningful training outstrips supply.”
Latest figures from the Driving Standards Agency show that the number of qualified HGV drivers could be well short of the 35 hours mark approaching the 2014 deadline. Although there is a demonstrable improvement in the uptake of Driver CPC, particularly during 2011, there is a reducing window of opportunity which will require an accelerated uptake to meet the deadline in 2014.
Assuming that drivers should spread their training evenly by undertaking seven hours a year for five years, FTA has determined that the current shortfall stands at 46%.
With 1,100 approved centres and at least 271,000 courses still to be delivered, the longer companies take to book their training the more unsustainable the pressure will be on training delivery. The likelihood is that this will translate into higher costs and harder to find seats.
Harding continued: “We know there is a considerable shortfall in the number of drivers on track to having completed their allotted training by the September 2014 deadline. In most cases this isn’t about lack of awareness but more about businesses weighing up their options. By playing this game though, they could be leaving themselves exposed to a lack of choice and more cost.”
“The logistics sector comprises very professional firms who completely support efforts to professionalise the industry and improve road safety and many of our members have invested heavily in ensuring that Driver CPC works for them. However, by delaying the inevitable these companies could be walking a dangerous line."
“The current gap of five million training hours is getting worse and we predict there could be as much as a 30 per cent shortfall in the number of legally qualified drivers of heavy goods vehicles before 2014. Should this happen, the impact on the UK economy could be devastating, with a downturn in productivity coupled with loss of sales for many millions of businesses that depend on road haulage.”
Driver CPC - Zero tolerance
Kidds Services from East Yorkshire supply CPC training to the UK moving industry. Philip Kidd said that many companies are burying their heads in the sand thinking this will go away. “If you are a lorry driver who has held a vocational licence (C.C1,CE,C1E) prior to 10 September, 2009 you will have required rights until 9th September 2014. If you want to continue driving professionally after that time you must have, by then, clocked up 35 hours of periodic training,” he explained. “New drivers will need to pass the Initial Qualification to gain their vocational driving licence and qualify for their Driver CPC. For a new driver the requirement to undertake the minimum 35 hours training to retain their Driver CPC will start once they have passed their test to drive.”
The DSA is offering no tolerance after 2014. Any driver stopped by the police or the Ministry of Transport who has held a licence from 10 September, 2009 must have in his possession his drivers card stating that he has 35 hours periodic training. The expiry date will be September 2019.
It is the responsibility of the driver to complete the 35 hours of training and it is the responsibility and a legal requirement for companies and agencies to ensure that the driver has it before they let them drive. It is against the law for an employer to send a driver on revenue-earning duties without a valid CPC.
If a driver is stopped after September 2014 and does not have a current driver card the vehicle will not be able to move until his company sends a driver who does.
Penalties
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that drivers hold up to date cards. While driving professionally it is a mandatory requirement for all vocational drivers to have their DQC (Driver’s Card) in their possession at all times.
Failure to produce the DQC at the roadside if asked to provide it can result in a fine of up to £1,000. If a driver is caught with a forged license, or making a false statement, the fine can be up to £5,000.