What Managers Need to Know About Periodic Training & Licence Renewal
The UK’s transport sector is evolving all the time, so it’s wise to remain current on your licencing and training obligations. The reason? Of course, there’s the legal side of things, but also the need to protect road safety.
In this article, we take a detailed look at what transport managers should focus on in this regard, including the critical aspects of maintaining a proficient fleet of drivers that stays on the right side of the law.
Periodic Training Bridges Knowledge Gaps
The reality is that professional drivers will sometimes have gaps in their knowledge in terms of their obligations and how to meet them. Periodic training is a mandatory requirement that ensures these gaps are addressed by refreshing their knowledge while also introducing any new driving practices and legislation.
As such, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence – or Driver CPC as it’s more commonly known – involves 35 hours of classroom-based training every five years. Applying to both PCV and HGV drivers, it can be spread across the five-year period or taken over 7 days.
Choosing Training Providers
With something this important, the decision of which training provider to use is a crucial one, so that your drivers get quality instruction. That’s why you should look for training providers that offer comprehensive programs that cover a wide range of topics, including legal compliance, safety and fuel economy.
Due to the mandatory nature of this training, transport managers need to closely monitor each driver’s training status. It’s the best way to make sure all your drivers are on track to complete their CPC within the set timeframe.
What You Should Know About Licence Renewals
The process of renewing a driver’s licence typically involves a thorough medical exam, and an eye test. In some cases, a driving assessment will be needed, so it’s important to begin the renewal process well before licences expire to avoid any unnecessary time off the road.
The renewal frequency can vary, and it depends very much on the driver’s age and the category of licence they hold. For example, a Cat B licence must be renewed every decade and more often as the driver gets older.
A key part of preventing disruptions relating to licence renewals is to keep accurate, up-to-date details of each driver’s licencing status. This helps you plan for their renewals and eliminates the possibility of unexpected expiry. Drivers may also have points on their licence, which also needs to be addressed within the timeframe.
Valid Licences Are Key to Your Fleet’s Operation
As a manager of HGV drivers, making sure that each of your lorries is driven by someone with all the required licences is a central part of the job. By keeping a close eye on licence status, you’ll be able to address any issues in good time and make sure your trucks keep rolling.
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