Department for Transport (DfT) issues proposals for reform of Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC)

Logistics UK responded positively to the consultation, highlighting the benefits that new flexibilities in the provision of training could have on vocational drivers, whilst offering negative opinions against specific proposals contained within the document.  

Having considered the responses from the consultation that closed in April 2023 the government has decided that the DCPC would benefit from reforms to increase flexibility when renewing and regaining the qualification. To do this the government will: 

• Introduce a new National DCPC for drivers who do not drive internationally. 

• Reform training by reducing the minimum course length from 7 hours down to 3.5 hours. 

• Decouple e-learning from trainer-led courses. 

• Develop with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) more core course content and encourage informal assessment at the end of modules. 

Whilst Logistics UK welcomes part of the proposals, the business group and its members remain opposed to the decision by DfT to consult further on introducing a new periodic test as an alternative to 35 hours of periodic training. Logistics UK is concerned about this measure and will continue to argue against removing the requirement for periodic training. During the consultation, Logistics UK raised the issue of a negative impact on road safety should all mandated training be removed, especially if the justification given was to ease cost pressures for drivers and operators. 

It is hoped that the required secondary legislation will be laid down in Parliament in the spring of 2024, with the aim of having the new regime in place for August 2024, in advance of the next five yearly cycle for HGV drivers. This is, of course, dependant on the timing of the general election that the Prime Minister has confirmed will take place in 2024. If there is an early election, around May or June, these legislative proposals could fall and therefore not take place.  

Some of the other proposals contained in the consultation, e.g. removal of requirement to carry a Driver Qualification Card, have not been advanced in this response as they will require primary legislation and therefore need more Parliamentary time. 

The full DfT response can be found here and Logistics UK will continue to monitor this issue as it progresses. 

Published On: 11/01/2024 14:00:00

Comments Section

If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.