24-7 Training today warned that if UK truck drivers don’t start to train soon that there will be a shortfall of training capacity and drivers will struggle to complete the 35 hours of training necessary as part of the mandated Driver CPC training. Figures currently being quoted suggest that only around 64% of freight drivers will have completed the necessary training that becomes mandatory in 2014.

Managing Director Stuart Moss warned, "September 2014 may seem a long way off but Britain’s freight drivers are in for a big shock unless they start their training soon. The transportation sector could face a crisis, as latecomers will create a surge in demand that can’t possibly be met.  There is already a shortage of trainers and there is a real danger that standards will suffer and that we’ll see higher training course costs to access quality training."

It is estimated that Driver CPC will impact on almost 800,000 professional drivers around half of those being freight drivers, and that over 5 ½ million training hours will be required annually for LGV drivers alone. Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) is now a legal requirement for most professional bus, coach and lorry drivers across the European Union who hold an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) driving licence (regardless of their nationality).

The Driver CPC is for LGV and PCV drivers who drive professionally throughout the UK. It has been developed as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59, which is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers throughout their working life. It becomes mandatory in the UK for PCV drivers in September 2013 and for LGV drivers in September 2014 and applies to both new and existing professional drivers who must undertake 35 hours of training every 5 years. Periodic training modules include eco-safe and fuel efficient driving, defensive driving techniques, first aid, health and safety, drivers hours regulations, using Tachograph.