MANY professional truck, bus and coach drivers in the UK have little time left to make sure they complete their driver CPC periodic training, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has warned.
For many, the deadline to complete their training and maintain their current Driver Qualification Card (DQC) is 9 September 2019. Drivers must have completed and recorded 35 hours of periodic training by then.
Potentially thousands of truck drivers may still need to complete their periodic training to continue to drive professionally, or they may face time off the road.
It’s illegal for professional drivers to drive without a DQC, carrying a maximum fine of £1,000 for both the driver and the operator licence holder. These offences will be referred to the Traffic Commissioner who will then consider what action to take. This could include suspending both the driver’s licence and the operator’s licence.
• Prior to September 2014 the DVSA had issued around 700,000 DQCs to drivers with acquired rights; these cards will expire on 9 September 2019. DVSA have issued about 600,000 DQCs to all drivers since September 2014.
