CPC Driver Training Q&A

Driver CPC is a Certificate in Professional Competence for professional bus and Truck (including HGV) drivers and other drivers in the transport and logistics industry. It was introduced in Ireland in 2008/9 for bus and truck drivers. It is implemented in Ireland as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59/EC, which is designed to set and maintain high standards of road safety and driving among professional bus and truck drivers.

From these dates on, professional drivers must complete continuous periodic training. This will involve drivers undertaking 35 hours of training within five years. This training must be completed in blocks of seven hours (i.e. one day per year). It is compulsory.

This card is awarded to each driver upon the completion of the training, showing you have attended all relevant training and comply with all relevant legislation. It is issued by the RSA.

No, all drivers must complete the CPC Programme. All you have to do is register with us and we will assist you with all documentation and forms. Then we will schedule you for the CPC Programme.

By September 2013, Bus Drivers must have completed all 5 modules. Truck Drivers must have completed a minimum of 4 modules (their final completion date is September 2014).

The training has 4 modules which are specific to both Bus and Truck Drivers. Module 5 is for Truck Drivers only. Module 6 is unique to Bus Drivers. Therefore each driver must complete at least 5 modules.

In order to work in the Transport and Logistics industry, you must have your CPC Card.  This means, drivers are obligated to complete 35 hours before 10^th September 2013 for bus drivers and the 10^th September 2014 for HGV drivers.

Each module takes 6-7 hours and can be completed weekdays or at weekends.

Only an RSA approved Trainer can deliver the CPC Training Modules. All of our Trainers are meet and exceed the RSA Training requirements and have experience in the transport and logistics industry.

With My CPC, Drivers who have already started their Driver CPC training, can now view their own CPC Training Record on line. Their personal record shows which modules have been completed, how long until you need to complete your next module and which CPC Training Organisation has provided the training to you.

Drivers who fail to complete the required training by 2013 and 2014 will not be eligible to apply for a CPC Driver Card. This means they will not be eligible to drive a bus or truck in the transport and logistics industry and seriously damage their ability to obtain and retain work and may also have implications for the driver and the company with respect to insurance costs/premiums and the Company reputation.

The legislation is enforced by An Garda Síochána and RSA Transport Officers, sets out penalties for driving without a valid Driver CPC.

The following penalties apply:

• Failure to produce Driver CPC – fine of up to €2,000.
• Fake documentation – fine of up to €5,000.
• Driving without a valid Driver CPC – fine of up to €2,000.
• Employer allowing a third party who does not have a valid Driver CPC to drive a relevant vehicle – fine of up to €5,000 (for employer/third party).

The training does not involve a driving test or assessment. It is a classroom workshop programme which involves group discussion and participation as well as work book exercises. It covers areas such as road safety, environmental driving, and issues involving the health and wellbeing of professional drivers.

Once a driver has obtained their CPC Driver Card, the training cycle commences all over again. This means they must start the CPC Driver Training for each module again. It is a repetitive cycle for the drivers entire driving career.

Firstly the onus is on the Driver to apply and complete the training.

Click on this link to download our application form.

Or you can contact our Training team at: 01-835-0814 and they will send you a form in the post.

Once we have your application we will inform you when the next course is being run and we will also keep a record of all training completed for you and can send you regular updates if required, to ensure you do not miss any of the regulatory deadlines.

We will do all this for you, once you complete all of your modules, our Training Team will assist you will all of the required documentation which is required for the application process. The RSA will issue Driver CPC Cards upon receipt of fully completed forms only (including passport photographs).

Bus and Truck drivers hold different categories of driving licence. See below.