News

Driver CPC training must remain flexible

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is concerned that proposed revisions to the European Commission’s Driver CPC Directive (Certificate of Professional Competence) could limit operators’ ability to provide relevant training for their drivers….
“With one of the proposed revisions preventing training on the same subject within the five-year period, an unintended consequence could be that a driver would undertake training that was less relevant to his or her role just to fulfil the statutory requirement,” explained Chris Yarsley, FTA’s EU affairs manager.
“This could hamper keeping drivers up to date with changes in legislation which would particularly apply to operators who carry dangerous goods or are involved in security work, where very specific training is required on a regular basis.”
This long-awaited document from the European Commission follows an evaluation completed in 2014 which was broadly positive, highlighting safety improvements and labour mobility.
Whilst a number of shortcomings which were identified, are now being addressed, the FTA says it is vital that Driver CPC training remains flexible, so that operators can adapt to their own driver needs.
Attention should also be given to how training is delivered and increased flexibility provided, as a seven-hour block of learning may not be the best method for each individual.
The changes could be agreed by the European Commission before Brexit, so would continue to apply following the Great Repeal Bill until otherwise decided.
www.fta.co.uk