Don’t tamper with driver training, FTA urges Brussels18 October 2013

The detail of Driver CPC training should be set by industry, not politicians – that's the call from the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

In the FTA's response to the consultation by the Driver Standards Agency (DSA) on the Driver Training Directive, James Firth, FTA head of road freight and enforcement policy, is urging the UK government to avoid additional constraints that could prevent operators from delivering effective training for their drivers.

"Driver CPC was brought in to raise standards across the industry, but many responsible vehicle operators were already developing their drivers' knowledge and skills before the European Directive came along," says Firth. "When it came into force, these operators had to make their existing high quality training conform to the administrative requirements of Brussels.

"The UK government was right to implement a flexible interpretation of the requirements when Driver CPC started back in 2008, but it means that any changes to the Directive which the Commission may be planning will have a direct impact on training courses on the ground."

The FTA is also calling for the government to stand firm on allowing Brussels to dictate exactly what a driver should be trained in, saying a one-size-fits-all regime will fit no one: "We run the risk of every driver investing time and money on redundant training. For instance a driver in the retail sector should not be forcibly required to be trained in loading and securing aggregates. There is certainly a challenge still in engaging drivers fully with DCPC, but insisting upon irrelevant training is a sure-fire way to alienate them further."

There are changes that the DSA can make now without waiting for the European Commission, says FTA, including improved availability of course content for employers and potential employers, closer ties with driver licensing and improvements in targeting of audits.

Driver CPC applies to new drivers acquiring a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence from 10 September 2008 and for drivers acquiring a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence from 10 September 2009. All drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years.

For more information on Driver CPC, click on the link below.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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