We're still behind schedule
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Words: Steve Hobsoh ACCORDING TO FIGURES released by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), in response to a request from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), almost 177,000 LGV and PCV drivers have now completed three of the five days training they are required to do to obtain their Driver CPC.
The DSA database does not differentiate between PCV and LGV drivers; it is estimated that around 100,000 PCV drivers have until September 2013 to obtain their Driver CPC, while anywhere between 500,000 and 700,000 LGV drivers must complete the five seven-hour training courses needed by September 2014.
Feedback from RHA members suggests larger hauliers are putting their drivers through one day's training per year, so they are on track to meet the deadline, but there is concern that many drivers working for smaller operators have not even started their training.
RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning said: "We know from the government's employment statistics that there are almost 500,000 people employed as van or truck drivers. Some will not be driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, but there are also others, whose work involves driving, who will be covered by the Driver CPC regulations. This suggests that the majority of people subject to the Driver CPC are behind schedule and that many may not have even started."
The RHA will be surveying its own members to establish which sectors of the membership have done least, so that it can "support them in ensuring they comply by September 2014'1 At the end of November 2012, 176,880 drivers had undertaken more than 21 hours of training, with another 157,421 either around or poised to enter the threeday bracket.
According to Sean Pargeter, owner of hgvlgvtraining.co.uk, there could indeed be a shortfall of training by smaller operators.
"I would agree in part that the smaller operators may not be as pro-active as the bigger hauliers in getting Driver CPC completed," he said. "The main reason is that larger companies already had training programmes in place, so it was not such a huge change for them."
Pargeter was, however,"shocked" by the low number of drivers who have completed their periodic training: "If it is correct, then we are in trouble — considering that 100,000 to 120,000 PCV drivers have until September to complete their 35 hours."
But there is evidence that the number of drivers undertaking Driver CPC training is starting to increase as the deadlines for completion approach.
During November 2012, nearly 70,000 drivers undertook training, resulting in 9,916 courses being completed. Approved training firms across the UK recorded nearly 485,000 periodic Driver CPC hours, a rise of 6% on October. • DRIVER CPC: BENEFICIAL OR DETRIMENTAL?
Luke Griffiths, transport training development manager at TNT Post UK, said: "If the trainers are good, then there is a huge value to drivers and companies. However, the issue seems to be ensuring that standards are met. As an industry if we invest more in the people that we already have, then we will start to address the driver shortage issues."
Owner-operator John English said: "Driver CPC in its present form is an insult, and will make drivers leave the industry. The training should be company/insurance-driven and based on vehicle type. There should also be a system that would ensure 'good' drivers aren't given the same training as 'bad' ones, and the EU Directive should specify who is to pay for it."
Mike Reid, group national transport manager at Fairfax Meadow, said: "It isn't well thought out; you can take the same Driver CPC course five times and qualify. However, if it raises the UK driver profile and makes entry into, and progression through, our industry easier and more attractive, it will be a benefit. But I feel there will be a last-minute dash for Driver CPC training in 2014, and trainers will struggle to meet the demand."
Martin Evans, compliance and training manager at Advance Drivers, said: "I come from a military background, where regular training is a must to ensure all skills are of the required standard. The same train of thought should apply to the transport industry."