HR Managers warned to check PSV driver compliance as second training deadline approaches

South Wales PSV training specialist Graham Cannon of DLT Training has warned that drivers of PSV (passenger service vehicles) face losing the ability to drive if they don’t act fast, as the second mandatory training date approaches.

An EU directive was introduced in September 2009, which means that drivers of lorries over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses with 9 seats or more must usually obtain a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence), and be regularly re-tested.New drivers can obtain their Driver CPC by passing a series of initial qualification tests – theory and practical, however drivers who qualified with a relevant vocational licence before the 10 September 2008 now have to complete mandatory periodic training to maintain their Driver CPC. The second deadline for training for bus or coach drivers expires on 9 September 2018 and Graham says course dates are filling up fast.HR Managers will have checked driving licences when their staff joined the company, or took on PSV responsibilities but Cannon says it’s important that this is re-checked, as if staff continue to drive without completing the mandatory training, fines are high.Here are the key dates for experienced drivers:

Training block	Lorry driver	Bus or coach driver	Dual-category driver (lorry, bus and coach)
First block of training	9 September 2014	9 September 2013	9 September 2013
Second block training	9 September 2019	9 September 2018	9 September 2019*
Third block training	9 September 2024	9 September 2023	9 September 2024

*You have 6 years to do your second block of training if you have acquired rights for both lorries and buses and finished your first block of training by 9 September 2013.

Drivers should note that they can’t just hope HR will remind them – it is illegal to drive professionally if you have not done your training by these deadlines – with fines of up to £1,000, it’s not worth the risk.

Most training providers are seeing places fill up fast, as drivers want to qualify ahead of the deadline, so Graham is advising bus and coach drivers to book their training dates now. Leaving it to the last minute could be a risky gamble, as the deadlines are the same for everyone.

DLT Training’s Graham Cannon says:

“We are one of the leading instructors in South Wales and run courses every month, however as the September 2018 second deadline approaches for PSV drivers, like most other CPC training providers, we’re seeing places fill up fast. We’d encourage any professional drivers who aren’t sure what they need to do, or who want to book a course to give us a call, sooner rather than later – leaving re-certification to the last minute is simply not worth the risk.”