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Operators to blame if drivers lack CPC card
Page 6
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By Christopher Walton
OPERATORS THAT allow a driver who fails to produce a Driver CPC card following a roadside check to continue with a job risk causing an offence and even triggering an investigation into the company, says Vosa.
Once the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence becomes mandatory on 10 September 2009, it will be the responsibility of the operator to ensure a driver is not only carrying the correct documentation, but also the Driver CPC.
1anBacon,seniorpolicy engineer (strategy and performance) at Vosa, told delegates at the Driver CPC Conference, powered by CM: "It is an offence to fail to produce the card to a Vosa examiner. We will prosecute you with no leniency, and will probably trigger an investigation into the company as well."
If a card is lost or stolen, the driver has a month to report it missing to the DVLA, but only if it happens in the UK. There is a two
year prison sentence for providing a false record of a Driver CPC.
A driver with an HGV licence has five years between 10 September 2009 and 10 September 2014 to complete the mandatory 35 hours of training required to gain the Driver CPC. Existing drivers will be deemed to hold a Driver CPC by acquired rights for five years but must complete their training by 2014.
Peter Boswell, executive committee member of the United Road Transport Union, said a lot of drivers "did not know the effect" the introduction of the Driver CPC would have.
"How many documents will drivers have to carry? They have their drivers' licence, a digital tachograph card and now a Driver CPC card. And training for 35 hours is a week's earnings lost. A lot of drivers would rather retire than go back to school."
• See next week for full coverage of the Driver CPC Conference.