The news that a PCV operator has been suspended for not carrying out any Driver CPC training sends out a very strong message to the industry, and shows just how seriously Vosa is taking Driver CPC.
Interestingly in this case, the PCV operator, which has until September 2013 to complete the required hours, was suspended by the Traffic Commissioner for not starting Driver CPC training.
It was noted by the Commissioner that despite the industry being given 10 years notice of the need for PCV drivers to hold the qualification by September 2013, including five years of active publicity, the operator had left less than six months for drivers to complete it. The Commissioner ruled that the company must complete three days Driver CPC training before the company can operate again.
Quite clearly from this PCV example, the risks of non-compliance are high and now a reality for LGV drivers. If drivers do not complete the required hours in the time, they will not receive their Driver Qualification Card (DQC) and will not be able to drive professionally. And, if LGV drivers do not carry their DQC while driving professionally after 10 September 2014, they as well as their operator/employer risk being fined up to £1,000 each.
Failure to comply also puts an operator’s OCRS at risk. A driver receiving a Graduated Fixed Penalty at the roadside would result in 25 points on the operator’s OCRS. And, if the driver is prosecuted for a Driver CPC offence, the operator would receive 50 points. Were the operator to be prosecuted, they would receive 100 points plus an additional 500 points. Any prosecution against an operator would cause their OCRS RAG (Red, Amber and Green) rating to go Red.
This illustrates why Driver CPC is important to both operators and drivers, and why LGV drivers need to start clocking up the training hours now, before it is too late.