Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competency) will be introduced across the EU from 10th September 2008 for professional bus drivers and 10th September 2009 for professional truck drivers. Its purpose is to set and maintain high standards of road safety, health and safety and driving among professional drivers (those who drive for a living) of buses and trucks.

How will Driver CPC affect professional drivers?

If you have your bus licence on or before the 9th September 2008, or your truck licence on or before 9th September 2009, you are automatically entitled to Driver CPC. This is called acquired rights. In order to keep your Driver CPC, you must do 35 hours of periodic training

When will Driver CPC be introduced in Ireland?

Driver CPC was introduced in Ireland as a legal requirement on the 10th September 2008 last for all bus, coach and minibus drivers.  The introduction date for all truck drivers will be the 10th September 2009.

How will this process work for New Drivers?

For new drivers; if you want to become a professional bus driver after the 10th September 2008 or a professional truck driver after the 10th September 2009 you will have to do a Driver CPC examination. The examination includes:
a two hour multiple choice theory test,
a two hour case study theory test,
a 90 minute driving test, and
a 30 minute practical test.

Once you have completed and passed the four parts of the Driver CPC exam you can apply for a driving license and Driver CPC card in that category. To KEEP your license up to date you will then have to do 35 hours of periodic training (seven hours per year) over the next five years to keep your Driver CPC.

How will this process work for Existing Drivers?

If you have a full license for a truck or bus before the Driver CPC comes into force on the 10th September 2008 for buses and before 10th September 2009 for trucks, you will automatically get your Driver CPC license without having to take the tests. This is called acquired rights and is based on your experience to date. In order to keep your Driver CPC license up to date you must do 35 hours Driver CPC Training during each five year period. This requirement means that the Drivers MUST have 7 hours training per year. 

CPC Course Content

Module 1 - Control of the vehicle and Eco-driving techniques.
(1) Characteristics of the transmission system
(2) Effective use of safety controls in PSV`s and LGV`s
(3) Optimizing fuel consumption

Module 2 - Minimizing risks and managing emergencies in the transport industries
(1) Risks of the road and accidents at work
(2) Ability to assess emergency situations

Module 3 - Health and Safety of the professional driver
(1) The importance of physical and mental ability of professional drivers
(2) Preventing physical risks

Module 4 - Role of the professional driver in the transport industries
(1) Ability to adopt behavior to help enhance the image of the profession
(2) Understanding the social environment of road transport and the rules governing it

Module 5 - Professional bus driver training
(1) Ensuring passenger comfort and safety
(2) Loading the vehicle
(3) Preventing criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants
(4) The regulations governing the carriage of passengers
(5) The economic environment of the carriage of passengers by road and the organization of the market

Module 6 - Professional truck driver training
(1) Safely loading vehicles
(2) Preventing criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants
(3) Carriage of goods. C License
(4) The economic environment of road haulage and the organization of the market