D.V.S.A. CPC Helpline Receiving Thousands of Phone Calls - September 24th 2014

Drivers are reporting waits of up to half an hour when calling the D.V.S.A. Driver Qualification helpline when ringing the new agency in Longbenton in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where D.Q.C.'s are sent out from after drivers have completed their 35 hours periodic training. The number if you need it is 0191 201 8112. 

DVSA reveal 664K drivers completed

23rd Sep, 2014

DVSA reveals 664,000 professional drivers had completed their Driver CPC by September's deadline

DVSA data suggests 664,000 professional drivers had completed their 35 hours of mandatory training by the Driver CPC deadline on 10th September.

However here at North East Driver CPC (which is a trading name of UK Driver CPC Network Ltd) we are still receiving many calls from drivers who are still needing the full 35 hours (5 days DCPC). In fact courses after the deadline are still running at full capacity with many drivers finding they are unable to work until they gain their Driver Qualification Card.

And as well as that drivers face being stopped by either the Police or D.V.S.A. now that it is a legal requirement to carry a D.Q.C.

The DVSA had targeted between 425,000 and 675,000 drivers (HGV and PCV) in Britain to have completed their training by 10 September to continue driving professionally, having previously conceded an exact figure wasn't known.

DVSA chief executive Alastair Peoples said: “I would like to thank the drivers and operators who have committed to the training and the wider industry who have been invaluable in helping with the introduction of Driver CPC.

“Driver CPC has a lot to offer and by keeping their skills up to date professional drivers are helping to make Britain’s roads amongst the safest in the world.”

Joan Aitken, lead traffic commissioner on Driver CPC, said: “Traffic commissioners want to congratulate the HGV industry on reaching this milestone. Trainers, drivers and employers have worked hard to ensure drivers are qualified in time and traffic commissioners look forward to seeing the same high level of compliance that was shown by the bus and coach deadline a year ago.

“For those operators and drivers who have not caught up with this deadline, then the message has to be - get this sorted now. Failing to complete the hours and be equipped with drivers holding the driver qualification card (DQC) runs the real risk of action being taken against drivers and operators.”

Driving without the DQC, or failing to produce it, will result in a £50 on-the-spot fine. There is also a maximum £1,000 penalty for repeat offences for the driver and O-licence holder. Offences will also be referred to the traffic commissioners, who have the option to suspend driver and operator licences.

Drivers are reminded they can still attend a Driver CPC course to gain accrue the 35 hours periodic training required. Once uploaded drivers are then able to drive again whilst waiting for their D.Q.C. to arrive in the post. This is sent direct to each drivers address detailed on their drivers license from the D.V.S.A. Drivers in the North East of England can expect to receive their D.Q.C. from the D.V.S.A. in Longbenton in Newcastle-upon-Tyne within 5-6 working days of attending the course.

17th September, 2014

We asked the Road Training Industry Training Board about DCPC hours accrued before the deadline.....

"If a driver does not complete their 35 hours before 09/09/14 they will not be able to drive 
professionally until they have done so. They can carry over into the 6th year but any 
hours they completed in the first year will be cancelled out.

For example:
If a driver completes a course on 10/10/09 and doesn't complete his hours before 09/09/14 
this course will only stay valid until 10/10/14.

I hope this helps."

Regards

Kiri Ehren
Operations Administrator - R.T.I.T.B. 

Driver CPC deadline reached

10th September, 2014

The deadline for lorry drivers with acquired rights to finish their first 35 hours of Driver CPC periodic training has now passed.

Yesterday (9 September 2014) was the deadline for existing lorry drivers to finish their first 35 hours of training.

This means that from today (10 September 2014), all professional lorry, bus or coach drivers on Great Britain’s roads have proved their skills and taken training to keep themselves up to date.

Most drivers met the deadline

The latest figures show that 664,000 drivers have now done their first block of training. This compares to industry estimates suggesting there are between 425,000 and 675,000 professional drivers in Great Britain.

Drivers who haven’t finished their training

If you had acquired rights and haven’t yet completed 35 hours of periodic training, you’re not allowed to drive professionally again until you complete it.

Any training you’ve already done stays valid for 5 years from the date you took the course, and isn’t lost because of the deadline.

YOU CAN HOWEVER STILL COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING TO GAIN YOUR DRIVER QUALIFICATION CARD  CLICK HERE TO FIND DETAILS OF THE NEXT COURSE IN YOUR AREA

You can check your Driver CPC periodic training hours and find approved training courses online.

Driver qualification card

You get a driver qualification card (DQC) when you pass the Driver CPC initial qualification or complete 35 hours of periodic training.

You must carry this while driving a large goods vehicle or passenger-carrying vehicle professionally.

January 21st 2014 - Upturn in bookings

We have noticed a definite upturn in bookings since we came back in the New Year. Weekday courses as well as Saturday courses are showing a definite increase in numbers of drivers booking on. Also it's surprising that so many drivers have still yet to make a start on their periodic training as the deadline is now only 8 months away. Many drivers are ringing us needing the full 35 hours training.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (D.V.S.A.) to replace VOSA and DSA November 28th 2013

A new agency with responsibility for maintaining driver and vehicle standards has been launched today (Thursday 28 November 2013).

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will replace the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Driving Standards Agency with responsibilities for setting, testing and enforcing driver and vehicle standards in Great Britain.

There will be a gradual introduction of the new agency name ahead of the formal launch in April 2014, with no change to the level or quality of services during the transition period. More on this story.

June 20th 2013

VOSA and DSA to merge

Today, Roads Safety Minister Stephen Hammond announced that the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Driving Standards Agency (DSA), are to merge into a single agency which will bring together their testing and standards services.

Alastair Peoples, VOSA Chief Executive, will become Chief Executive for the two agencies and will oversee their strategic operations towards a full merger over the next year

Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive, has also announced that she will be stepping down and leaving the Civil Service on 30 June 2013.

Commenting on the announcement, Alastair Peoples said:

“I welcome the opportunity of working with both agencies to bring together the vital road safety services we provide.

The aim of combining the two agencies is to remove duplication of functions, improve efficiency and give our customers a simpler framework of agencies in which to work with. I will now begin the process of working with staff and stakeholders to develop proposals to combine the work of VOSA and DSA.

We will continue to provide a quality service and the same level of professionalism while taking forward this work”.

No impact on our services

The changes won’t impact on:

·         the services you use that are provided by VOSA and DSA, eg vehicle tests

·         progress of other ongoing reform programmes

Better and more convenient services

The reforms are an outcome of the recent motoring services strategy consultation. They’re designed to offer motorists and businesses better and more convenient services, while making sure that road safety and first class customer service remain a top priority.

April 10th 2013

Former company directors to pay over £1 million

Two former directors of a transport company have been order to pay £1,835,793.00 by HH Judge Hughes following a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.

 On 25 March 2013, 67 year old Patrick James Boyle and 38 year old Mark Anthony Boyle, who are both from Newry, Northern Ireland and former Directors of Boyle Transport Limited, were found to have benefitted from their criminality to the sum of £10,016,810.

 On 2 May 2012 Patrick Boyle and Mark Boyle were handed two year and 18 month sentences respectively at Carlisle Crown Court, after they pleaded guilty to conspiring with drivers to make the false tachograph records on 18 February 2011.

After a year long investigation, It was revealed that each digital tachograph owned by the company had been interfered with and the drivers had, in fact, been driving up to 22 hours per day (the law states the maximum should be 10 per day) and failing to take their lawful breaks.