Courier Business Stuff » Towing

Driver CPC – what is it and why would I need it?

Alec — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:22:13 +0000

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (or Driver CPC) is a new scheme brought in under the requirements of an EU Directive 2003/59. It will eventually apply to all drivers of Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) and Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV).

The Driver CPC is in no way connected with the Operator’s CPC required by Transport Managers etc to become an O Licence holder.

This is guidance for the Driver CPC as it applies to GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS ONLY. The rules for PCV drivers will be implemented on earlier dates.

The requirement to hold a valid Driver CPC will eventually apply to all drivers of goods vehicles over 3500 kg GVW – so all drivers driving vehicles that require C1, C1+E, C or C+E licences.

All new drivers passing their tests to driver vehicles over 3500 kg after 10th September 2009 will have to obtain an initial Driver CPC qualification in addition to passing the appropriate driving test. The Driver CPC will need to be renewed every 5 years by completing a 35 hour course.

Drivers who have already have C1, C1+E, C or C+E licences before 10th September 2009 will not have to obtain an initial Driver CPC qualification but will still have to undertake 35 hours of training to renew their periodic Driver CPC by September 2014 and every 5 years after that.

Drivers of vehicles driven under B+E licences (van and trailer combinations) do not require a Driver CPC irrespective of the Gross Train Weight

O Licensing for trailers

Alec — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:32:41 +0000

You need a tacho, but you don’t need an O-licence as long as the unladen weight of the trailer is 1020kg or less.

Advice please (ref towbar)

Alec — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:27:56 +0000

No, you need a tacho fitted if a 3.5 ton van tows any trailer. You need an O-licence if the trailer’s over 1020kg unladen.

O licence or not

Alec — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:48:02 +0000

Only if the unladen weight of the trailer is over 1020kg. You’ll need a tacho though.

Sprinter and trailer issues

Alec — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 13:00:47 +0000

James, if those are the figures that apply to your van then you’re correct, as long as it’s a braked trailer, which it should be at that weight. You could even carry a bit less in the van and a bit more on the trailer – although I believe it’s best to keep as much of the total weight in the van as possible when towing.

If the trailer has an unladen weight of over 1020kg then you’ll need an O licence. You’ll need a tacho anyway but i think you knew that.

Need Help to Find Out about towing trailers

Alec — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 15:58:22 +0000

If the total legal GVW of the trailer and towing vehicle combined is over 3500kg and is within the permitted GTW you need a tacho, whether the actual weight of the combination is above 3500kg or not.

An ‘O’ licence is only needed if the unladen weight of the trailer is over 1020kg.

You need B+E on your driving licence to tow a trailer of over 750kg.