Driver CPC Explained: the 35 Hours and What Counts
The difference between initial and periodic CPC, how the 35 hour cycle is counted, what happens if you fall behind, and how the driver qualification card is issued.
Driver CPC is the professional qualification that sits on top of the licence. New professional drivers take the initial qualification including Module 4, and every qualified driver then completes 35 hours of approved periodic training in each five year period to keep the driver qualification card valid.
Initial and periodic are two different things
Initial CPC is how you become a professional driver: the case study element sat with your theory, and Module 4, the practical vehicle safety demonstration. Periodic CPC is how you stay one. Confusing the two is the single most common reason a driver books the wrong course with us.
Module 1
Multiple choice theory and hazard perception, taken with your licence acquisition.
Module 2
Case studies, the theory half of initial CPC.
Module 3
The on road practical driving test for the category.
Module 4
Practical demonstration on loads, safety and checks, £199 with us including the test.
How the 35 hours is actually counted
- Sessions are seven hours long and must be with an approved centre, which reports your hours to DVSA.
- Hours can be spread across the five years or taken as five consecutive days, whichever suits your work.
- There is no pass or fail. Attendance for the full session is what counts, which is why late arrivals cannot be signed off.
- Hours cannot be carried into the next cycle, so banking extra days early achieves nothing.
If you have let it lapse
You do not lose the licence and you do not retake the initial qualification. You stop being allowed to drive professionally until the 35 hours are complete, then a new card is issued. Drivers returning after time out of the industry are a regular booking for us and there is nothing unusual about it.
Who is exempt
Driving that is not the main activity of your job, personal use of a licensed vehicle, and certain non commercial carriage sit outside CPC. Motorhome and horsebox owners driving privately do not need CPC at all, which is worth knowing before you pay for training you will never use.
Questions we get asked about this
Your CPC hours can be checked on your DVSA driver record. Bring the figure to us and we will plan the remaining sessions around it.
Not professionally. Once the card expires you must complete the outstanding hours before returning to commercial driving.
Yes. One periodic cycle covers both if you hold both entitlements, so bus and lorry drivers do not train twice.
Many operators do, particularly where they hold the operator licence. We invoice companies directly for driver groups.
Where to go next
- Driver CPC courses periodic training at £55 per seven hour course.
- Category C training the Class 2 licence most new professional drivers start on.
- Transport Manager CPC a different qualification entirely, for operators.
What Our Customers Say
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Once I passed my theory/hazard perception test, I the took my C1 training with Jordan, who made my driving experience a pleasure, Jordan was patient and made me feel at ease the whole time I was driving: advising on things I might change and letting me know when I had driven well etc, really relaxed me to the point of passing my test 1st time after 10hrs of lessons. Very happy customer.
Brilliant service. David and Jordan were both excellent during intensive hours ahead of obtaining my C1 on my driving licence. Couldn't recommend them enough! Thanks very much guys
Great instructors an great trainning, no matter what your skill level is, they will always improve you, an give you the confidence you need, big thanks to davie, tommy and jordan. Nothing but praise an would'nt recommend anyone else, it was ah pleasure having all of them as my instuctors an thanks again for my 1st time pass.
Fantastic from start to finish, and at a very fair price.
I recently trained for a Class 1 licence with Pass4me and managed to pass first time due to the great training I received. Everyone was very helpful, helped me gain confidence, and made the training enjoyable with the daft patter. Highly recommend David and the rest of the team if you are looking to do HGV training!
Just passed my Class 2 licence thanks to these guys, and I can't recommend them enough. They were absolutely brilliant from start to finish—really helpful and made the whole process a breeze. If you're looking to get your licence sorted, definitely give them a shout!
Best experience for driver training I've come across! 1st time pass on my class 1 with ease. Tom top lad easy to get on with and plenty experience and Davey is brand new helped out a lot through the process. Would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of doing any sort of driver training to give the guys a call.
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