DSA consults on driver CPC administrative arrangements

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) today launched a consultation proposing measures to improve the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) scheme which affects professional bus, coach and lorry drivers.

DSA Chief Executive, Rosemary Thew, said: "Driver CPC is an important scheme which is designed to improve road safety by ensuring that those who drive professionally have the best training available.

"Our proposals aim to make the Driver CPC scheme more efficient by reducing the number of last minute test cancellations and clarifying the criteria for test vehicles. We are encouraging as many people as possible to share their views with us on the proposed plans so that we can make well informed decisions that will help to improve the scheme".

The proposed improvements include:

clarifying which vehicles can be used for CPC tests;

introducing a minimum three clear working day wait before an unsuccessful candidate can re-take their test;

introducing a minimum cancellation notice period of three clear working days for theory or practical test without losing the fee;

giving examiners an explicit right to refuse to conduct a theory or practical CPC test where a candidate has failed to meet relevant requirements; and to forfeit their fee in those circumstances

introducing a Trainer Booking Facility for theory and practical CPC tests;

requiring candidates to pass the CPC theory test before being eligible to book the CPC practical test;

requiring 'acquired rights' drivers holding old-style paper driving licences to exchange them for photo-card licences as part of the process for being issued with a driving qualification card.