RHA Welcomes Robust Driver CPC Enforcement

The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the robust approach of enforcement authorities towards those who have failed to meet the requirement of the Driver CPC Directive.

From September 10, it will be an offence for many lorry drivers to continue driving if they have not completed 35 hours of approved training in the past five years. The rule applies to professional lorry drivers who gained their vocational licence before September 2009.

“Basically, those involved in professional road haulage have got this issue sorted out in good time. If there are firms that have still not done so, we have to question whether they are suitable to be operating large, heavy vehicles,” says the RHA.

“Those who are not qualified can become qualified in one week, so that they can get back to delivering goods legally. That should not be an insurmountable burden.

“Drivers and their employers have had plenty of time to get the necessary training completed. Some drivers are having problems as a result of licence renewal delays at DVLA but enforcement bodies are taking account of that.

“The DVSA and the traffic commissioners are fully justified and have the RHA’s support in enforcing the law from the start,” the RHA says.