Driver Certificate of Professional Competence(Driver CPC)

What is Driver CPC?
‍Driver CPC is a Certificate of Professional Competence for professional bus drivers (categories D1, D1E, D and DE) and professional truck drivers (categoriesC1, C1E, C and CE).
Equivalent licences are D1, ED1, D, ED, C1, EC1, C and EC.
Driver CPC was introduced across the EU in 2008 for professional bus drivers andin 2009 for professional truck drivers. The three key aims are to:
# ensure that all professional drivers have good driving and safety standards and that those standards are maintained throughout their career;
# create a common standard for the training and testing of driver throughout the EU; and
# reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Irish and European roads.
The Driver CPC and you
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New Professional Driver
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Since 30 September 2014, in order to become a professional bus or truck driver,you must take the following five steps:
Step 1: Pass a driver theory test and get a driver theory test certificate for category C or D or both as appropriate;
Step 2: Get a learner permit in the relevant category;
Step 3: Pass a 2-hour case study theory test (note Step 2 must be completed before Step 3 if under 21 when applying for a C or CE licence or under 24 when applying for a D or DE licence);
Step 4: Pass a 90-minute practical driving test, including questions and demonstrations on how you would carry out a series of checks; and
Step 5 : Pass a 30-minute practical test.
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Once you have completed these steps, you must complete an application form(available from the RSA) to apply for your Driver CPC qualification card. The driving test (Step 3) and practical CPC tests (Step 4) are carried out at RS A driving test centers and are usually taken one after the other.

Already a Professional Driver
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If you were already a professional bus driver or holder of category D licence on 10 September 2008 or a professional truck driver or holder of a Category C licence on 10 September 2009, you are automatically entitled to Driver CPC. Thesis called ‘acquired rights’.In order that professional drivers maintain their rights, they must complete 35 hours of periodic refresher training every five years.Where a professional driver seeks to maintain rights to drive both buses and trucks professionally, they must complete 42 hours of periodic refresher training every five years. Periodic training must include a minimum of 7 hours training in a single day each year.
Drivers of the following vehicles are exempted, that is, the driver will not needto hold or carry a CPC:
# Vehicles not allowed to exceed 45 kilo metres per hour;
# Vehicles used or controlled by the armed forces, civil defense, the fire service,the prison service and forces responsible for maintaining public order;
# Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance, or new or rebuilt vehicles which have not been put into service;
# Vehicles used in states of emergency or for rescue missions;Vehicles used for driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a CPC;
# Vehicles used for carrying passengers or goods for personal use and not for business;
# Vehicles carrying materials or equipment that the driver uses as part of their work, as long as driving the vehicle is not the driver’s main activity;and
# Vehicles used for non commercial purposes such as driving as an unpaid volunteer.
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