The length of the periodic course remains unchanged at 35 hours and drivers must do this training every five years to keep their CPC to drive a lorry, bus or coach. A driver can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC. The training required depends on where the driver is going to drive.
Those driving in the UK and Europe must complete 35 hours of only International Driver CPC training courses. If any national training courses are included, the driver will get a National Driver CPC and will not be able to drive professionally in Europe.
Those driving in the UK only must complete 35 hours of training. This can be National Driver CPC training courses only or a mix of National and International Driver CPC training.
The measure to speed up the process for drivers to return to driving a lorry, bus or coach in the UK if their Driver CPC has expired will come into effect on 1 February 2025.
To view details on how the reforms affect drivers, visit www.tinyurl.com/3u2ebc63.
New tachograph rules
Tachograph rules are coming into force soon. Regulation (EU) 2020/1054 states that a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be retrofitted into in-scope vehicles with an analogue or digital tachograph undertaking international journeys, on or after 31 December 2024 onwards; and a smart tachograph 1 to those that are undertaking international journeys, on or after 19 August 2025 onwards.
This new version of the tachograph should record when the vehicle crosses borders, when the vehicle is being loaded and unloaded, and will feature strengthened anti-tampering mechanisms.
The aim of the rule change is increased compliance and better tracking of driving hours for safer and more efficient transport.
Load security guidance updated
The DVSA’s load security guidance has been updated, adding more detail and including further information on carrying out appropriate risk assessments on loads. Changes include:
• a new section on the importance of risk assessments to help manage the issues facing those involved in securing loads
• clarification on covering loose loads and how a risk assessment can be used to inform this decision
• changes to the introduction to clarify the standing and purpose of the guidance and how it can help the reader be compliant with UK regulations
• some minor amendments following feedback
• a new section on securing asbestos waste
• a section to cover securing precast concrete sections.
National Minimum Wage increases
Starting in April 2025, the minimum wage is set to increase, with the hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over rising to £12.21, workers between 18 to 20 rising to £10.00, under 18s rising to £7.55 and apprentices’ hourly rate rising to £7.55.
This follows a commitment from chancellor Rachel Reeves to establish a genuine living wage for employees. While the government estimates that three million workers will benefit from the rise, businesses have expressed concerns that the higher costs may lead to reduced hiring.
The government reviews and sets the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates annually, with the new rates taking effect from April. After a challenging period for many due to the cost-of-living crisis, the government believes the wage increase will help improve workers’ financial positions.
However, business owners have voiced concerns that the higher-than-expected wage rise could negatively impact small businesses, potentially resulting in job cuts and reduced investment in growth.
This page is brought to you by Backhouse Jones Solicitors, which runs a frequent series of podcasts – see www.tinyurl.com/2xbv3jzv
