Drive behind any lorry or HGV, and you will likely see a sign on the vehicle, advertising a need for new drivers. The driving profession, particularly regarding HGVs, can be difficult to recruit for, given the interchangeable hours and physical demands of driving.
Nevertheless, qualifying as a professional HGV driver can open up countless opportunities in the job market and almost certainly means a stable job for life. So, what does it take to become a driver, and what are the necessary HGV driver CPC qualifications needed to succeed?
What do newly qualified HGV drivers need to do?
Once an HGV driver has their licence, they need to identify and complete the right training courses.
Professional drivers of large goods vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes, or passenger-carrying vehicles with nine or more seats, must complete 35 hours of compulsory periodic training in order to obtain or renew a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), often referred to as a Driver CPC card. This is where driver CPC training comes in, leading to a qualification.
What is a CPC qualification?
A CPC qualification is a certificate of professional competence. It proves that an individual has undergone training in a specific area of their role, with various courses available in line with legislative change and requirements. Once Initial Driver CPC training has been successfully completed and the tests have been passed, drivers are required to complete 35 hours of periodic Driver CPC courses every five years.
Some courses are a legal requirement, while others represent an opportunity to upskill, with drivers needing to pay specific attention to the difference between national and international courses. Those who complete international courses can legally drive anywhere, whereas those who complete national courses may not drive outside of the UK.
It’s equally important to note that a set number of training hours need to be completed by drivers within a specific period to retain the correct licence. For HGV drivers, this equates to 35 active training hours, proving a consistent level of engagement and upskilling.
Relevant qualifications for HGV drivers
Luckily, the range of CPC courses available for HGV drivers means it’s easy to complete the 35 hours, while ensuring every hour and every course is different from the last.
Some of the available options include a Return to Driving course, Driver Wellbeing, Manual Handling and Fire Safety, Driver Hour Laws and Tachograph training, Safe Urban driving, Eco-Friendly driving, and a 5-day broad HGV driver course. This five-day course covers all the basics around heavy goods driving and safe handling and ensures that drivers are comfortable and safe while driving on the road.
Courses can be scheduled for individual or group training and can be conducted online or in a set workplace. For more information and to book your HGV driver training for CPC qualifications, get in touch with your local training provider.
