CPC initial qualification part 1.
CPC initial qualification part 2
Introduction
The Driver CPC initial qualification applies only to drivers who acquire their vocational licence after the relevant implementation dates:
• 10 September 2009 for LGV
who are intending to work as a professional driver.
Driver CPC does not apply to certain exempt groups (see ‘Driver CPC evidencing, enforcement and exemptions’).
The initial qualification does not apply to current/existing drivers.
To minimise cost and inconvenience, the Driving Standards Agency will offer new drivers the opportunity to take the initial qualification at the same time as they obtain their vocational driving licence.
Completing the whole process will involve four hours of theory testing and two hours of practical tests, split into the following sections / ‘modules’:
• 2 hours 30 minutes theory test
• 1 hour 30 minutes theory test (case studies)
• 1 hour 30 minutes practical test
• 30 minutes practical demonstration of vehicle safety
This table illustrates how the modular approach allows someone to acquire a vocational licence and Driver CPC / just a vocational licence (if they belong to one of the exempt categories) / just Driver CPC (if initially, they were exempt from it but then began driving professionally and needed to obtain it).
Module 1Theory Test |
Module 2Case studies |
Module 3Practical Test |
Module 4Driver CPC Practical Test |
|
Licence Acquisition only |
* |
* |
||
Full Driver CPC |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Upgrade to Driver CPC |
* |
* |
For the full Driver CPC modules 1 and 2 can be taken in any order, as can modules 3 and 4. However candidates must complete module 1 before they can take module 3 and must complete module 2 before they can take module 4. In other words the theory test must be taken before the practical part.
The table illustrates how the modular approach allows someone to acquire a vocational licence and Driver CPC OR just a vocational licence (if they belong to one of the exempt categories) OR just Driver CPC (if initially, they were exempt from it but then began driving professionally and needed to obtain it).
The following sections give more detail on each of the new test modules.
Module 1 - Theory test
This module now allows the multiple choice and hazard perception clips to be taken as two separate stand-alone tests in either order.
The multiple choice test contains 100 questions, of which at least 85 must be correct to obtain a pass.
The hazard perception test contains 19 clips, one of which will contain two scoreable hazards. Each hazard is worth a maximum score of 5 points; a score of at least 67 out of 100 is required to obtain a pass.
Candidates will be allowed 2 hours for the multiple choice and 30 minutes for the hazard perception element.
Module 2 - Case Studies
This module is computer based and uses realistic scenarios a driver may encounter in their working life; aiming to test their knowledge and how this is put into practice.
Written by experts from the industries, questions will be based around the case study and a candidate will be asked to answer in a number of different ways such as multiple choice answers, clicking an area on a photograph/image or by typing in a short answer.
Module 2 is effective from 1 September 2008 for PCV candidates and will be introduced in 2009 for LGV candidates.
Each test will be made up of 7 case studies, each one with 6-8 questions, with a possible maximum score of 50 (of which the pass mark will be 38).
Candidates will be allowed 1 hour 30 minutes to complete this module.
This can be taken at the same test centre as Module 1.
CPC initial qualification part 2.
Module 3 - Practical Test
From 10th September 2008 the current practical on-road driving test is being developed to include an Eco-Safe Driving assessment. Although this will not contribute to the result of the test, during the test the examiner will assess the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and plan their drive in an eco-safe manner, if the driver does not do so this will be recorded on the test report form. Further information on eco-safe driving will be handed to the driver at the end of the test.
Actual
on-road
driving time
for all
rigid
categories
will be
increased
slightly to
a minimum of
1 hour. This
will give
examiners
the
opportunity
to assess a
candidate’s
driving in
more varied
traffic
conditions
and on a
wider
variety of
roads.
The vehicle
used for
this module
must comply
with Minimum
Test Vehicle
requirements
Module 4 - Driver CPC Practical Test
Module 4 is a new practical test focusing on vehicle safety; developed with the support and advice of the industries. During the test you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in the areas listed below:
• Ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and proper vehicle use,
• Security of the vehicle and contents,
• Ability to prevent criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants,
• Ability to assess emergency situations,
• Ability to prevent physical risk. Emphasis will be on you to demonstrate your ability e.g. through a physical walk-round vehicle safety check.
The test consists of 5 questions which cover the Driver CPC syllabus. For each of the questions the examiner will require you to demonstrate your knowledge in the syllabus areas mentioned above, which could involve you carrying out actions such as walking round the vehicle pointing out relevant parts of a vehicle, or demonstrating the use of relevant parts of the vehicle. Each question equals 20% of the overall pass mark. To pass the test an overall score of 80% must be achieved, with a score of at least 15% in each question.
LGV tests will also see the introduction of a new piece of equipment called the ‘Load Securing Demonstration Trolley’ (LSDT) which will allow you to demonstrate your ability to secure loads using a variety of methods including ropes, chains, straps, etc.
It will be introduced on 10th September 2008 for PCV and on 10th September 2009 for LGV candidates and will last ½ hr.
As above the vehicle used for this module must comply with Minimum Test Vehicle requirements.
NVT route
Drivers may only be allowed to drive before obtaining a Driver CPC when they are undergoing a national vocational training course (NVT) of at least six months duration (and within the UK only). In these circumstances, the exemption from Driver CPC will apply for twelve months from the date of licence acquisition or the date of signing onto the NVT.
The driver will be required to complete test modules 2 and 4 to gain their Driver CPC. Module 2 must be taken and passed before module 4 can be taken.
A driver may only use the exemption once.
The driver will NOT acquire their Driver CPC simply by undertaking the NVT.