To whom does the Driver CPC requirement apply?
The Driver CPC requirement applies to anyone who carries passengers or goods for hire or reward in a heavy vehicle.
You need to have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) if you carry passengers or goods for hire or reward in a heavy vehicle (Categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE). This applies regardless of your age and whether you drive every day or only now and then.
If you are going to carry out both passenger and goods transport, you need a Driver CPC for both types. To qualify for a Driver CPC, you need an initial qualification course and you have to pass a theory test. To maintain your Driver CPC, you need to undergo periodic training every five years.
When are you required to hold a Driver CPC?
The requirement for a Driver CPC applies regardless of whether you carry out the transport in connection with your work or in your spare time. As long as the main purpose of the transport is the transport itself, the requirement applies to you even if the transport only constitutes a small part of your work tasks/leisure activities. It does not matter whether the transport you are carrying out requires a licence or can be considered “transport on own account” or company-internal transport.
When a transport operator, vehicle owner or company accepts payment for transport, this requires that the driver holds a Driver CPC. This applies even if the driver does not receive any form of payment (“hire or reward”).
You do not need a Driver CPC for private use of heavy vehicles
The Driver CPC requirement does not apply to private use of heavy vehicles. If, for instance, you have a minibus as a family car or if you use a light lorry to pull a caravan, you do not need a Driver CPC.
Did you get your driving licence before the requirement was introduced?
You are exempt from the initial qualification requirement in the following cases:
- If you held a valid driving licence for Category D1, D1E, D or DE on 10 September 2008, you have a Driver CPC for passenger transport.
- If you held a valid driving licence for Category C1, C1E, C or CE on September 2009, you have a Driver CPC for goods transport.
You still need to undergo periodic training in order to maintain your CPC. This requirement is the same for the entire EU/EEA.
Did you get your driving licence after the requirement was introduced?
If you acquire your licence for Category C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D or DE for the first time after the requirement was introduced, you have to go through initial qualification in order to obtain a Driver CPC.