The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a legal requirement for professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers in the UK. If you drive a vehicle in category C, C+E, D, or D+E for hire or reward — in other words, as part of your job — you must hold a valid Driver CPC qualification. Failing to do so can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and could cost you your livelihood.
This guide explains exactly what the Driver CPC is, who needs it, how to get it, and how to maintain it throughout your driving career.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Driver CPC?
- Who Needs a Driver CPC?
- Who Is Exempt?
- Getting Your Initial CPC: The Four Modules
- Periodic CPC Training: Maintaining Your Qualification
- The Driver Qualification Card (DQC)
- How to Check Your CPC Hours
- How Much Does Driver CPC Training Cost?
- Choosing a CPC Training Provider
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Driver CPC?
The Driver CPC is a professional qualification introduced across the European Union (and retained in the UK post-Brexit) to raise the standard of professional driving. It was introduced in two phases: for bus and coach drivers in 2008, and for lorry drivers in 2009.
The qualification has two components:
- Initial CPC: A set of four tests taken when you first qualify as a professional driver. These tests are integrated into the standard HGV or PCV licence tests.
- Periodic CPC: 35 hours of approved training completed every five years to maintain your qualification.
The Driver CPC is administered by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and is separate from — but linked to — your driving licence. You can hold a valid C or D licence without a CPC, but you cannot drive professionally without both.
Who Needs a Driver CPC?
You need a Driver CPC if you drive any of the following vehicles as part of your job (for hire or reward):
| Licence Category | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|
| C | Rigid lorry over 7,500 kg (Class 2 HGV) |
| C+E | Articulated lorry (Class 1 HGV) |
| C1 | Medium goods vehicle 3,500–7,500 kg (if used commercially) |
| D | Bus or coach with more than 8 passenger seats |
| D1 | Minibus with 9–16 seats (if used commercially) |
"For hire or reward" means driving as part of your employment or self-employment. It includes employed drivers, agency drivers, and self-employed owner-drivers. It does not include driving your own vehicle for personal use.
Who Is Exempt?
The Driver CPC is not required in the following circumstances:
- Driving under a provisional licence for the purpose of training or testing
- Driving vehicles used by the armed forces, police, or fire and rescue services in the course of their duties
- Driving vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair, or maintenance
- Driving vehicles used in emergencies or rescue operations
- Driving vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use
- Driving vehicles carrying material or equipment for the driver's own use, provided driving is not the driver's principal activity
The exemptions are interpreted strictly. If you are unsure whether your driving requires a CPC, seek advice from the DVSA or a qualified training provider.
Getting Your Initial CPC: The Four Modules
The initial Driver CPC consists of four modules. For HGV drivers, modules 1 and 3 are combined with the standard HGV theory and practical tests. The two additional CPC-specific tests are modules 2 and 4.
Module 1 — Theory Test (Multiple Choice)
100 multiple choice questions covering road safety, vehicle safety, rules of the road, drivers' hours regulations, and environmental issues. Pass mark: 85/100. Duration: 115 minutes. Cost: £26. This is the same test as the standard HGV theory test — passing it satisfies both the HGV licence requirement and Module 1 of the CPC.
Module 2 — Theory Test (Case Studies)
Seven case studies, each presenting a real-world driving scenario with multiple questions. Pass mark: 40/50 per case study. Duration: 90 minutes. Cost: £23. This is an additional test taken separately from Module 1 (though they can be booked on the same day).
Module 3 — Practical Driving Test
The standard HGV practical driving test, conducted by a DVSA examiner. Duration: approximately 1.5 hours. Cost: £115 (weekday) / £141 (evening/weekend). Passing this test satisfies both the HGV licence requirement and Module 3 of the CPC.
Module 4 — Practical Demonstration Test
A 30-minute practical test at a DVSA test centre. You will be asked to demonstrate vehicle safety checks and perform a practical task. Cost: £55 (weekday) / £63 (evening/weekend). This is an additional test taken separately from Module 3.
Once all four modules are passed, the DVSA issues a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) — the physical proof of your CPC qualification. You must carry this card when driving professionally.
Periodic CPC Training: Maintaining Your Qualification
Once you hold an initial CPC, you must complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to maintain your qualification. This training must be completed at a DVSA-approved training centre.
How the 35 Hours Works
The 35 hours can be completed in any combination of approved courses, as long as each session is at least 7 hours (one full day). Common approaches include:
- Five 7-hour days over five years (one day per year)
- Seven 5-hour sessions (some providers offer half-day courses)
- A single intensive week of training
There is no requirement to spread the training evenly over the five years, but leaving it all to the last minute is risky — if you cannot complete the training in time, your DQC will expire and you will not be able to drive professionally until it is renewed.
What Periodic Training Covers
Periodic CPC training covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Road safety and defensive driving techniques
- Drivers' hours rules and tachograph regulations
- Vehicle safety and pre-drive checks
- Fuel efficiency and eco-driving
- Health and wellbeing for professional drivers
- Customer service and professional conduct
- Dangerous goods awareness (ADR)
- First aid
Courses are available in classroom format, online (e-learning), or a combination of both. Online CPC training became widely available during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a popular option for drivers who cannot easily attend in person.
The Driver Qualification Card (DQC)
The DQC is the physical proof of your Driver CPC qualification. It is issued by the DVSA and must be carried at all times when driving professionally. The card shows:
- Your name and photograph
- Your driver number
- The categories covered (C and/or D)
- The expiry date of your CPC qualification
The DQC is separate from your driving licence photocard. You must carry both when driving professionally. The DQC costs £35 to issue or renew.
If you lose your DQC, you can apply for a replacement from the DVSA. You cannot drive professionally without a valid DQC, even if you have completed all the required training hours.
How to Check Your CPC Hours
You can check how many periodic CPC training hours you have completed using the DVSA's online service at gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc-periodic-training-hours. You will need your driving licence number and National Insurance number.
Training providers are required to upload your completed hours to the DVSA system within 5 working days of completing a course. If your hours are not showing, contact your training provider first — they may need to submit the records.
For a step-by-step guide to checking your hours, see: How to Check Your CPC Hours: The Simple Way to Stay Legal.
How Much Does Driver CPC Training Cost?
The cost of periodic CPC training varies by provider and format:
| Training Format | Approximate Cost per Day (7 hours) |
|---|---|
| Classroom training (individual) | £80–£150 |
| Classroom training (group booking) | £60–£100 per person |
| Online (e-learning) | £50–£90 per day |
| Combined classroom + online | £70–£120 per day |
For 35 hours (five days) of periodic training, expect to pay £300–£750 per person depending on the provider and format. Employers who fund CPC training for their drivers can claim this as a business expense.
The initial CPC tests (modules 2 and 4) cost £23 and £55–£63 respectively, in addition to the standard HGV theory and practical test fees.
Choosing a CPC Training Provider
When choosing a periodic CPC training provider, look for:
- DVSA approval: The provider must be approved by the DVSA to deliver periodic CPC training. Check the DVSA's register of approved providers.
- Relevant course content: Choose courses that are relevant to your driving role and that cover topics you will find useful in your day-to-day work.
- Flexible scheduling: Look for providers who offer courses at times that fit around your work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Online options: If you cannot easily attend in person, check whether the provider offers approved online (e-learning) courses.
- Prompt hour recording: Check that the provider has a good track record of uploading completed hours to the DVSA system promptly.
At GS Driver Training, we offer DVSA-approved periodic CPC training at our facility in Surrey, with a range of course topics to suit all professional drivers. See: Driver CPC Training Surrey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CPC stand for?
CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence. In the context of professional driving, it is always referred to as the Driver CPC or Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.
Do I need a CPC to drive an HGV?
You need a CPC to drive an HGV professionally (for hire or reward). You do not need a CPC to drive an HGV for private use (for example, driving your own lorry for personal purposes). However, the vast majority of HGV driving is professional, so in practice, most HGV drivers need a CPC.
What happens if my CPC expires?
If your DQC expires, you cannot legally drive professionally until you have completed the required 35 hours of periodic training and obtained a new DQC. There is no grace period. You must stop driving professionally as soon as your DQC expires.
Can I do CPC training online?
Yes. The DVSA approved online (e-learning) CPC training during the COVID-19 pandemic, and online courses remain available. However, not all course topics are available online, and some employers prefer classroom-based training. Check with your employer and the DVSA before booking online courses.
Does the CPC cover both HGV and PCV?
The CPC covers both goods vehicle categories (C, C+E, C1) and passenger vehicle categories (D, D+E, D1) separately. If you drive both lorries and buses professionally, you need to complete 35 hours of periodic training for each category every five years — a total of 70 hours over five years.
I passed my HGV test before 2009 — do I still need a CPC?
If you held a valid C or D licence entitlement before the CPC was introduced (10 September 2009 for lorry drivers, 10 September 2008 for bus/coach drivers), you were granted acquired rights — meaning you received an initial CPC automatically without having to take the four tests. However, you still need to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to maintain your qualification.
What is a CPC check?
A CPC check is a verification of a driver's CPC status, typically carried out by an employer or agency before hiring a driver. It confirms that the driver holds a valid DQC and has completed the required periodic training hours. For more information, see: What Is a CPC Check and Why It's Important for HGV Drivers.
Need Driver CPC Training?
GS Driver Training is a DVSA-approved periodic CPC training provider based in Surrey. We offer a range of course topics to suit all professional drivers, with flexible scheduling and competitive prices.
- View our CPC training courses
- Contact us to book your CPC training
- Call us on 01252 447808
