Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) reform – what could it mean for you?

We await the outcome of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation on the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC), which proposes reform to training now that the UK has left the EU. Logistics UK formally responded to this consultation and you can find out more about this campaign and our response in Logistics UK Magazine.

While Logistics UK welcomed some of the proposals put forward by DfT, we challenged others on the grounds of safety, and highlighted the implications that any change in policy will have on our members and the industry as a whole.

Logistics UK is a champion of flexibility in policy, and I firmly believe that one fixed solution usually does not fit every business in the logistics sector. With that in mind, we support proposals to remove mandatory course duration requirements and the need to complete any ‘split’ module in two consecutive days. The reality of this would see drivers being able to complete the 35 hours of training as they wish over the five year renewal period (obviously dependent on what courses are available).

However, if the reforms become legislation, this will not be without its challenges for our sector.

One issue consistently raised is the lack of mandated training modules which means drivers could repeatedly take the same course to reach 35 hours. There has been pressure for DfT to mandate core topics, but we have pushed for a solution that allows employers and drivers to decide which topics are best for their development and business need. We also believe that drivers must be free to repeat a training course if they need a refresher or have not fully understood the guidance and laws. Drivers and operators should not be penalised for due diligence. However, we highly encourage drivers to take training seriously and choose the right learning for their role. Generally, we find operators are compliant with, and fully support this.

So far, we have kept Government on side with that thinking and I am encouraged that the industry has been allowed to self-regulate with no option in the consultation to mandate topics or exclude repeat training in the 35 hour learning requirement.

Members continue to support the goal of 35 hours of training, so Logistics UK was concerned that the consultation included a proposal to remove driver training and replace it with simply sitting a one hour test at a DVSA test centre. Passing this would give drivers the same entitlement to drive without the periodic training. In discussion with DfT, the thinking is to reduce the cost burden on operators, which they believe will be welcome. However, we discussed this scenario with members and despite the potential reduction in costs, there was genuine concern that this could present a big risk to road safety. While members want flexibility in training, they want the principles of driver training to remain.

With the consultation closed, we intend to write to the Transport Minister to reiterate members’ concerns and ask that this option should not be considered.

Another burden with current DCPC legislation is that drivers have to carry a card to prove compliance, rather than a digital record or, as they do in other countries in Europe, add the entitlement (Code 95) to the back of the driver’s driving licence. As there is no requirement to carry a driving licence while driving, this option was rejected by Government. However, the administration of an additional card is cumbersome. We support smarter enforcement so I am really pleased to see that the new proposals include enforcement via the electronic record, which will reduce the burden on drivers and operators.

While I am encouraged to see reform to the DCPC, Logistics UK recognises that divergence with EU legislation does present challenges which will have to be worked through. DCPC is one of the first pieces of road transport legislation to be reviewed since exiting the EU and changing the laws will see a two-system approach to driver learning. We’ll have a National DCPC, with GB rules, and an International DCPC, with EU rules.

There is also the additional question around which route Northern Ireland will choose; drivers in NI will continue to adhere to current legislation unless its Assembly decides to follow the new GB National DCPC model.

Logistics UK has advised DfT of the potential challenges this divergence will present. For example, drivers with only a National DCPC will no longer be able to drive professionally in the EU. As the majority of drivers in GB are domestic, the market demand for National DCPC training will likely be higher than for the International DCPC and this could shrink the supply of seven hour courses. If availability reduces, the price will likely increase – which means we could be left with drivers wanting to travel internationally but can’t access the required training.

There will be work for us to do with Government to iron out the issues. In time, the EU will review its Driver CPC legislation and they could make changes in line with those in GB which would realign the two standards.

Looking forward, our hope is to make the option for more flexible training work for drivers, with enforcement managed through the electronic record. We expect any legislation change to be long term and not to come into force until 2024 at the earliest. We eagerly await the outcome of any EU review, and that in Northern Ireland.

Logistics UK continues to engage with DfT and other stakeholders to push for policy change that works for our members, that improves industry standards and supports drivers in embracing the value of having quality, professional training. We’ll keep members updated with outcomes of the consultation and what this means for them.

Published On: 22/06/2023 12:00:00

Comments Section

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