New Government Rules Around Driver Training

By RAM Tracking on 21 Dec 2023

By Daniel Briggs, Marketing Director, RAM Tracking 

What is CPC Training?

Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training is a qualification required for professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). The aim of the Driver CPC is to improve road safety and maintain high standards of driving among professional drivers.

Key features of Driver CPC training include:

• Mandatory qualification: Professional drivers must undergo CPC training to obtain the Driver CPC qualification, which consists of both initial qualification and periodic training.
• Initial qualification: New drivers must complete the initial qualification, which involves passing four modules - two theory tests and two practical tests. Once achieved, this qualifies them to drive professionally.
• Periodic training: After obtaining the initial qualification, professional drivers are required to undergo periodic training to maintain and develop their skills throughout their career. This involves completing 35 hours of training every five years.
• Content: The training covers various aspects related to road safety, driver well-being, and compliance with relevant regulations. Topics may include defensive driving, first aid, environmental awareness, and other areas relevant to professional driving.
• Delivery: CPC training can be delivered through a combination of classroom-based instruction, e-learning modules, and practical training sessions.
• Certification: Successful completion of the training is recorded on the driver's Driver Qualification Card (DQC). It is essential for drivers to carry this card while driving professionally.

The goal of Driver CPC training is to ensure that professional drivers are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate commercial vehicles safely and responsibly. The training also aims to contribute to a higher standard of professionalism within the driving industry.

Driver CPC Investigation

In response to the critical shortage of drivers in 2021, the government initiated a policy review of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) on November 8, 2021 – The DCPC is a qualification for professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers.

The primary goal was to:

• Evaluate how the qualification could be reformed to relieve the challenges faced by drivers.
• Ensure it doesn't deter entry into the professional driving sector.

The results of this assessment, released in March, presented suggested reforms to the qualification, later opened to public discussion.

Revealing the findings of the consultation, on Tuesday, December 12th 2023, it was discovered that:

• 33% of respondents considered the Driver CPC to be effective or very effective in enhancing road safety.
• 38% expressed that it was either ineffective or very ineffective.

Driver training improvements

Drivers expressing dissatisfaction with the program often cited:

• A lack in fresh content, leading to repetitive material.
• A portion of respondents emphasised concerns regarding the insufficient value in terms of time and cost.

Certain operators who felt the Driver CPC fell short of its objectives voiced concerns about the generic nature of the training content, deeming it insufficiently tailored to their drivers' specific needs.

• Almost half (48%) of respondents said that the training should be reformed, 39% that it should be abolished and 12% that it should stay the same.

In response to the government's announcement, Jim Kirkwood, CEO of TTC, a provider of Driver CPC periodic training, expressed his views.

• He stated that separating e-learning from trainer-led courses represents a noteworthy step that will greatly enhance convenience for drivers.
• This adjustment allows them to undergo training at their own pace, fitting it into their work and personal schedules more seamlessly.

Kirkwood emphasised that, when coupled with the introduction of shorter trainer-led courses, these changes make it more straightforward for drivers to stay compliant with DCPC requirements.

Improving driver behaviour with RAM Tracking

Our integrated platform revolutionises team coordination by seamlessly uniting managers and field workers within a single, user-friendly system facilitated by our advanced mobile app.

This innovative approach transforms the way work details are logged and communicated, enhancing overall efficiency.

• Field workers benefit from the simplicity of our mobile app, providing them with an insightful interface to effortlessly input their work-related information.
• This includes logging completed tasks, updating job statuses, and recording important details.
• The app also serves as a real-time communication channel, instantly notifying managers about job updates, ensuring timely and accurate information flow between the field and the office.

For managers, our platform offers a comprehensive job tracking feature that allows them to oversee the progress of each field worker with just a glance. This job tracking system enables:

• Quick decision-making and efficient job dispatching based on real-time insights.
• The two-way communication establishes a dynamic link between the field and management, fostering a collaborative environment.

The comprehensive platform plays a pivotal role in improving driver behaviour and training in several ways:

Real-time monitoring: The platform allows managers to monitor driver behaviour almost in real time. By receiving instant updates and notifications through the app, managers can stay informed about:

• Driver activities.
• Ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
• Speed limits.
• Other performance metrics.

Performance insights: Through the job tracking feature, managers can assess:

• Individual driver performance based on completed tasks.
• Efficiency.
• Overall job execution.

This data provides valuable insights into areas where drivers excel and areas that may require additional training or attention.

Training customisation: By having a clear understanding of each driver's performance through the platform, managers can customise training programs to address specific needs.

• Tailored training plans can focus on areas where drivers may require additional support.
• This ensures that training efforts are targeted and effective.

Enhanced communication: The real-time communication facilitated by the platform fosters a collaborative environment between managers and drivers. This open line of communication encourages a culture of continuous improvement, where drivers feel supported and can seek guidance on best practices and challenges.

The comprehensive platform improves driver behaviour and training by:

• Providing real-time insights.
• Fostering open communication.
• Enabling tailored training programs.
• Promoting a proactive approach to addressing performance issues.

This approach contributes to a safer and more efficient driving workforce.

Conclusion

The government's proactive response to the critical driver shortage in 2021 led to a comprehensive review of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC), with the aim of reforming the qualification to alleviate challenges faced by drivers and ensure it does not hinder entry into the professional driving sector.

• The consultation revealed diverse opinions, highlighting the need for improvements in driver training and a potential shift in the form of periodic testing.

Introducing RAM Tracking's innovative platform as a solution for improving driver behaviour and training, we see how:

• Real-time monitoring.
• Performance insights.
• Training customisation.
• Enhanced communication.

Contribute to a safer and more efficient driving workforce.

By providing managers with:

• Real-time insights.
• Facilitating open communication.
• Enabling tailored training programs.
• Promoting a proactive approach to addressing performance issues.

The comprehensive platform ensures that the driving workforce remains at the forefront of safety and efficiency. This integrated approach represents a positive step forward in shaping a more resilient and responsive driving industry.