If you don’t have a vocational driving licence for either:
You’ll need to get one. How? First of all, you’ll need a full Category B (Class 1) licence. Then you can apply for your provisional Category C, C1, D or D1 (bundled together into Class 2) licence. Then you must pass your test.
The test consists of two parts:
Passing these two modules will demonstrate that you have an understanding of the practical elements of HGV driving, and will get you your heavy goods driving licence.
If this is the stage you’re at, you’ll need to get booked into an accredited LGV practical testing facility. Chartwise is NOT one of them. To find out which categories you need, visit the GOV Licence Categories web page.
DID YOU KNOW: those taking an approved National Vocational Training (NVT) course can drive professionally for up to a year without taking Parts 2 & 4 of the DCPC test.
After you’ve got your licence, you’ll then need to get your DQC (Drivers Qualification Card). To do so, you must pass the Initial CPC.
This qualification consists of two tests:
Chartwise also do NOT offer this. Once you’ve passed these elements, you’ll be good to attend Periodic Driver CPC: which is totally our bag. Once you’ve passed all four modules, give us a shout – we’ll put you on the road to becoming a fully-fledged wagoner.
For more detailed info on the Initial CPC, check this out.
The DCPC is not a lifetime qualification. It’s valid only for 5 years.
Within that 5-year period, you must complete another 35 hours to maintain your qualification. Most drivers opt to sit one module (7 hours) per year to spread the cost and the time off road.
Well, now that you know more about the Driver CPC qualification and have established whether or not you need it, it’s time to take a closer look at the course itself:
Well, you need to pick a training provider. Location, cost, and availability are the major factors. So, let’s get right to it.
The Driver CPC is taught at our multi-accredited training facilities in Team Valley, Gateshead. We offer week-long courses and single days. In certain circumstances, we can even deliver particular modules offsite.
We hold full week-long Driver CPC courses once a month. We also deliver single modules on one or two Saturdays a month – for those candidates unable to take time off work during the week. Emergency First Aid is once again part of our regular CPC syllabus; as such, an additional £12.00 for the formal certificate of attendance is to be taken into account.
Don’t forget – ADR training can count as hours toward your CPC. We also hold full ADR courses monthly.
Yes, we know – there are so many training centres out there, delivering similar content – it’s difficult to tell them apart.
What ensures Chartwise remain a cut above, however, is that our trainers do not simply click through PowerPoint slides, reading words off a screen – they interact, engage, and answer your questions. They use their expertise in everything from securing loads to drivers’ hours calculations to ensure you’re prepared for life on the road.
Whether you’re new to the industry or simply updating your hours; the Chartwise Driver CPC course will get you prepped for all that the road may throw at you.
So, select a date, complete the form at the bottom of the page, and we’ll take care of the rest.