News
Putting the Petroleum Driver Passport into practice
Hauliers and training providers are now able to apply to Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to become PDP approved centres, enabling them to carry out some or all of the required training and assessment.
The scheme will be open for driver training from January 2014. During 2014 all drivers must be trained and pass the associated assessments before being issued with the PDP card. Terminals will begin mandating the scheme from January 2015.
Training providers can register to undertake all activities, classroom and practical, on a five year and annual refresher basis whilst others may opt to conduct their own annual refresher, practical or classroom training. Some operators may choose to undertake the practical assessments for themselves and others, leaving the classroom elements to third party providers.
Brian Worrall, Downstream Oil Distribution Forum (DODF) independent chair, said: “The implementation of the PDP is progressing well and we are inviting companies to register with SQA as training providers so that we are in a position to begin driver training in January 2014. By implementing PDP, the industry can have confidence that drivers have been trained to a consistently high, externally verified standard in all aspects of tanker driving, from pre-vehicle checks to loading, driving and discharging.”
Secretary of state, Ed Davey added: “Government is supporting the PDP scheme which will improve standards and the quality of training across the industry. We would encourage all training providers to sign up to delivering this new qualification.”
Sue Macfarlane, head of specialist awards and services at SQA, said: “We are delighted to be working with the DODF. I believe SQA’s considerable experience of developing, assessing and quality assuring qualifications relating to the transport of dangerous goods means we can be trusted by the industry to help demonstrate drivers’ skills and knowledge of relevant safety procedures to terminal operators, customers and the public.”