Should Driver CPC be enforced rigidly?
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Should the requirements of Driver CPC be strictly imposed once the deadline passes in two years’ time? The latest Trucking Britain survey has your answers
By Justin Stanton
BY AUTUMN 2014, LGV drivers should have completed their 35 hours of Driver CPC training. Since its introduction, and the industry’s initial apathy towards (and indeed ignorance of) the requirements of the directive, there has been a widespread fear that not all drivers will have completed their training by the deadline.
Lenient authorities
Early assumptions were that the industry would be so far behind the authorities would need to show lenience towards drivers who had not completed their training in order to keep freight moving. Some experts proposed a three month amnesty for such drivers, ie not enforcing the directive requirements until January 2015.
However, at Commercial Motor Live last month, senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell and Vosa chief executive Alastair Peoples confirmed that Driver CPC will be rigidly enforced from day one. The delegates attending that seminar agreed whole-heartedly.
Do Trucking Britain respondents agree? Definitely! More than two thirds (69%), in fact. Nearly a quarter (23%) didn’t agree, while 8% were unsure. The nay-sayers provided no convincing arguments to justify a lenient or light-touch approach to enforcement; most aired their (now long-held) beliefs that Driver CPC is a waste of time and not rigorous enough.
Those in favour of rigid enforcement were passionate: “A lot of companies have invested heavily in ensuring their drivers are up to speed and properly trained. Why let the stupid and uncaring companies get away with yet another lax practice?” asked one respondent.
Another said: “As much as this training is box ticking and largely ineffective, everyone knows the rules and should comply by the long-standing and much-publicised completion date.” While another added: “There has been so much information about it and those who choose to ignore it will be unemployed and it will serve them right for their ignorance.”
No mercy
Other respondents want the directive enforced with no mercy not only among UK drivers but also foreign drivers on UK roads. One said: “Drivers need to realise this will be enforced and not pulled like lots of people think. Whatever our European cousins do will make no difference; the fairest way to enforce this is at the ports: no Driver CPC card, no ferry to the UK.” Another said: “It would be a disgrace [if not enforced, due to] the lost revenue and the costs that companies have endured while implementing Driver CPC. It should also be enforced when every foreign driver enters this country.” The final word goes to this respondent, whose message was clear: “Anyone who has not complied after having five years to do so should be severely punished and there should be no leeway.”