PCV Licence Question

[chris301up]

Towards the end of last year (2019) I decided, mainly due to my age and lack of ongoing work, to surrender my PCV entitlement and returned my licence to DVLA for this category to be removed. However, I have recently been offered some regular part-time PCV driving work and need information regarding the reinstatement of the PCV category. I have trawled through numerous sites, including the DVLA, but cannot find any reference to this. I understand that I require a medical and to complete 35 hours training for the CPC, but at the moment this is the least of my concerns. Can anyone please advise?

 

[olddriver]

I had a similar issue. Passed PCV in 2007, medically restricted for 5 years. When it expired in 2012, I didn’t bother to renew as I wasn’t in the bus industry. I contacted the DVLA recently and they told me to send in an application form (D2) and a medical form (D4). My worry was that I’d have to sit the whole test again but they told me once you have passed the test, you’ve passed.

 

[Westcountryman]

You do not need a CPC to get your license back, but you cannot drive for hire or reward. However, if you are intending to do paid work you will need a CPC. If your CPC had enough time left on it, I would have thought that it was unnecessary to redo the training.

 

[chris301up]

Morning Guys. Thank you for your advice. You have confirmed what I thought. I just couldn't find any information on the internet. Officially I am now retired but I find it so very, very boring. Once this Covid situation as been controlled, I intend to go back to doing some school runs, just to get me out of the house for a few hours. My DQC card as expired so I will have no alternative but to undergo the 35 hours training. A real pain in the backside as I'm still a fully qualified ADI and although I can provide CPC training I still have to undergo it! I think I'll go for the medical first and, providing all is well, go from there. Never know with medicals, particularly at my age, if there's some underlying condition we're unaware of? Thank you for you're kind advice!

 

[Lewlew]

If your CPC has expired then I believe you have to do all the tests again instead of just the 35 hours training, don't you?

 

[chris301up]

If your CPC has expired then I believe you have to do all the tests again instead of just the 35 hours training, don't you?

It doesn't appear so? As far as I can ascertain you just cannot drive professionally until the 35 hours are completed. I've come across this: You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally if your Driver CPC expired before 1 March 2020. Your next deadline will be set for 5 years after the date you finish your training.

 

[Westcountryman]

The situation with CPCs isn't really very complicated, it is just that many people, including some CPC trainers do not understand it. I only took my PCV test in Feb 2018, and I was expecting to only drive vintage vehicles, not for hire or reward. I saw an ad for an organisation which required volunteer drivers, and the circumstances were that drivers needed to be class 6. This required a CPC. One of the organisers was a CPC trainer, so I did one 7 hour session. I later found that, as a new licence holder I didn't need to do 35 hours tuition. I just had to go along to a training centre, have a couple of hours tuition and test familiarisation and a 30 minute test and I got a CPC. The 7 hours training that I did was based on the fact that most drivers who did the training with them were people who were given the original CPC when the system was brought in and were needing to renew.

I know in just under 3 years I will have to do the full 35 hours, the majority of the training will probably be a total waste of time for me.

 

[philthetube]

This is a fascinating discussion, I let mine go about 10 years ago and just assumed that that was it, however this sets me thinking about a bit or part time when I retire, a few rail jobs or something, thanks all contributors.

 

[Lewlew]

It doesn't appear so? As far as I can ascertain you just cannot drive professionally until the 35 hours are completed. I've come across this: You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally if your Driver CPC expired before 1 March 2020. Your next deadline will be set for 5 years after the date you finish your training.

Thanks. My CPC expired last year, I was going to get the training done before it did but never got round to it as not using it but if the need ever arises then it's good to know that it's not a big task to get sorted.

 

[chris301up]

This is a fascinating discussion, I let mine go about 10 years ago and just assumed that that was it, however this sets me thinking about a bit or part time when I retire, a few rail jobs or something, thanks all contributors.

Yes. It is a fascinating discussion. A bit like the rules around Covid. Not many seem to understand them. In my case I am now 67 years of age and when my CPC ran out last year I just wasn't going to bother again. Particularly as there was less and less work and just wasn't viable at the time for me. This is even more concerning now with the current situation and the demise of so many coach and bus companies. If it wasn't for a local company contacting me, who I have done PCV work for over many years, I don't think I would even entertain the thought of medicals and CPC training. When I know more I'll keep you all posted.

 

[carlberry]

Yes. It is a fascinating discussion. A bit like the rules around Covid. Not many seem to understand them. In my case I am now 67 years of age and when my CPC ran out last year I just wasn't going to bother again. Particularly as there was less and less work and just wasn't viable at the time for me. This is even more concerning now with the current situation and the demise of so many coach and bus companies. If it wasn't for a local company contacting me, who I have done PCV work for over many years, I don't think I would even entertain the thought of medicals and CPC training. When I know more I'll keep you all posted.

The medical is another issue as they've been extended on all current licences to take pressure off the system (other than where a company has a doctor themselves), however that just increases pressure net year!

 

[philthetube]

With what GP's charge for medicals I am sure that they will cope.

 

[Westcountryman]

With what GP's charge for medicals I am sure that they will cope.

Try Cotswold Medicals. (No connection)

 

[Flange Squeal]

Thanks. My CPC expired last year, I was going to get the training done before it did but never got round to it as not using it but if the need ever arises then it's good to know that it's not a big task to get sorted.

A friend of mine found themselves in the same position. They are no longer a full time bus driver, but had been keeping their licence up to date to allow for the odd bit of casual work to keep their hand in. Their CPC expired last year. One thing that came from lockdown was the ability of training companies to start delivering CPC modules online, through things such as Zoom. While off work from their 'main' job stuck at home, they therefore decided to do their 35 hours online. This meant they could do it from the comfort of their sofa, with any company nationwide offering it rather than having to travel to a local firm and be restricted by dates, and something to do while stuck at home anyway.

 

[Flying Snail]

The situation with CPCs isn't really very complicated, it is just that many people, including some CPC trainers do not understand it. I only took my PCV test in Feb 2018, and I was expecting to only drive vintage vehicles, not for hire or reward. I saw an ad for an organisation which required volunteer drivers, and the circumstances were that drivers needed to be class 6. This required a CPC. One of the organisers was a CPC trainer, so I did one 7 hour session. I later found that, as a new licence holder I didn't need to do 35 hours tuition. I just had to go along to a training centre, have a couple of hours tuition and test familiarisation and a 30 minute test and I got a CPC. The 7 hours training that I did was based on the fact that most drivers who did the training with them were people who were given the original CPC when the system was brought in and were needing to renew.

I know in just under 3 years I will have to do the full 35 hours, the majority of the training will probably be a total waste of time for me.

Sorry, but that doesn't sound right.

If it is then you have found a massive loophole for new entrants to dodge the CPC requirement by getting the licence first on a non-commercial basis.

I suspect someone messed up and gave you a CPC card you are not entitled to based on a misunderstanding or bad information.

This is a fascinating discussion, I let mine go about 10 years ago and just assumed that that was it, however this sets me thinking about a bit or part time when I retire, a few rail jobs or something, thanks all contributors.

If you want to keep your entitlement you should probably enquire ASAP, Isn't 10 years the hard limit on driving licence/category expiry after which you can no longer get a renewal but have to apply as a new applicant?

 

[olddriver]

The phrase the woman at the DVLA used when I enquired a few weeks ago was “Once you’ve passed the test, you’ve passed the test”. I haven’t heard of the 10 year rule.

 

[Westcountryman]

Sorry, but that doesn't sound right.

If it is then you have found a massive loophole for new entrants to dodge the CPC requirement by getting the licence first on a non-commercial basis.

I suspect someone messed up and gave you a CPC card you are not entitled to based on a misunderstanding or bad information.



If you want to keep your entitlement you should probably enquire ASAP, Isn't 10 years the hard limit on driving licence/category expiry after which you can no longer get a renewal but have to apply as a new applicant?

I've just been checking up. The rules for new drivers are here.

Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver

Qualify as an HGV or bus driver, requalify if you used to drive an HGV or bus, get a provisional licence, take the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests.

www.gov.uk

It is 4 parts.

Part 1. Computer based theory and hazard perception test.

Part 2. Computer based test on 7 case studies where you have to answer multiple choice questions. Passing Part 2 allows you to book the final part 4

Part 3. Driving test..

Passing these parts will entitle you to a PCV license to allow you to drive Class 5.

Part 4. This is the test I was referring to.

You’re tested on being able to:

• load the vehicle following safety rules and to keep it secure
• stop trafficking in illegal immigrants
• assess emergency situations
• reduce physical risks to yourself or others
• do a walkaround vehicle safety check

The test is made up of 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus. You can score up to 20 points for each topic.

To pass you have to score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area and have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100.

This is the one that can be done in an afternoon.

(Note, if you look at the rules, the vehicle must be suitable for a test (either bus or minibus), capable of a minimum of 50mph, fitted with anti-lock brakes etc. This is rather surprising as test does not require you to actually move the bus at all)

 

[Deafdoggie]

If you want to keep your entitlement you should probably enquire ASAP, Isn't 10 years the hard limit on driving licence/category expiry after which you can no longer get a renewal but have to apply as a new applicant?

There is no time limit. If you’ve passed the driving test, you’ve passed the driving test. All you need to reinstate it is to pass the medical. You don’t need a CPC to have the licence category back-you only need the CPC if you actually drive for hire or reward.

 

[Geordie driver]

Thanks for all the info in this thread, I have recently thought about reactivating my PSV licence in order to do some school work.

I did have a medical and my psychiatrist changed my meds so I no longer want to do school runs.

 

[richw]

Part 4. This is the test I was referring to.

You’re tested on being able to:

• load the vehicle following safety rules and to keep it secure
• stop trafficking in illegal immigrants
• assess emergency situations
• reduce physical risks to yourself or others
• do a walkaround vehicle safety check

The test is made up of 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus. You can score up to 20 points for each topic.

To pass you have to score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area and have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100.

This is the one that can be done in an afternoon.

(Note, if you look at the rules, the vehicle must be suitable for a test (either bus or minibus), capable of a minimum of 50mph, fitted with anti-lock brakes etc. This is rather surprising as test does not require you to actually move the bus at all)

Part 4 test takes 10 mins at most and probably an hour or two of training should be enough. It’s set questions that are mostly common sense, 2 of the question types are guaranteed, but slight variation in the wording of how they’re asked.

Sorry, but that doesn't sound right.

If it is then you have found a massive loophole for new entrants to dodge the CPC requirement by getting the licence first on a non-commercial basis.

I suspect someone messed up and gave you a CPC card you are not entitled to based on a misunderstanding or bad information.

It doesn’t sound wrong at all. As a new driver it appears he done module 1-3 which allows you to drive for non commercial only.
As he’s never held a CPC he’d only need module 4 to complete.
The only question I ask, is there a time limit from completing module 1-3 and completing module 4.