Suspension threat for CPC non-compliance

24th August 2012

Commercial vehicle drivers who fail to comply with the Driver CPC requirements for 35 hours of training face having their vocational driving licence suspended, senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell announced at the Road Haulage Association conference last month.

“VOSA will have the power to issue fixed penalty notices, and these will be referred to the traffic commissioners.  We are likely to order the suspension of the driver’s vocational entitlement until DCPC training has been completed.

“We will also write to the operator asking why it has failed to take the necessary action to ensure compliance.  One option is to suspend the operation of the driver’s vehicle, along with the driver’s licence, and to take even tougher action against the operator’s licence.  Traffic commissioners want all operators to seize the DCPC as an opportunity to invest in the professionalism and ability of their drivers.”

Operators will be expected to be able to show the steps they have taken to ensure their employees have valid licences and, at the appropriate time, driver qualification cards.  Beverley Bell suggested that before September 2014 operators should audit their drivers to ensure they have completed their training.