Transport for London
Driver training and development
Companies are legally required to ensure drivers are entitled to drive their vehicles, and are appropriately trained to do so.
Ongoing training and development also benefits both drivers and managers.
You can find details below about some of the qualifications drivers are legally required to hold in the UK, as well as some training options available. We've also highlighted key organisations that you should be aware of if you employ staff to drive as part of their job.
- Licence acquisition
- Post-licence acquisition training
- Driver CPC
- Carriage of dangerous goods
- Dangerous goods safety adviser
- London Freight Booster training
- Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training
- Skills for Logistics
- Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
- Useful links
Licence acquisition
Before a driver can undergo specific training on the vehicle they'll drive and goods they'll carry, they must gain the necessary licence for the vehicle.
For an LGV Category C or C+E licence, the candidate needs to pass a formal medical and apply for a provisional category C licence.
The training will be carried out by a driver training company. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) holds a register of large goods vehicle trainers. Visit the DSA website to find out more.
Testing is carried out by DSA-approved examiners, who operate from centres across the country.
Further information on licence acquisition can be found at http://www.dsa.gov.uk/
Post-licence acquisition training
The Health and Safety at Work Act requires staff to be reasonably trained on any equipment
they are required to use in their course of duty. This applies to equally to driving and employers have a duty of care to provide such training.
Once a driver has gained their licence, further training is therefore needed to familiarise them with the vehicle and load they'll be transporting.
The training that is carried out must be recorded by the company.
Driver CPC
From September 2009, all new professional lorry drivers need to gain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), as well as their driving licence, to be legally entitled to drive.
The CPC, which is being introduced across the European Union, is renewable on a five-yearly basis. To retain their certificate, drivers have to complete at least 35 hours (five days) of training within the five year period, in blocks of no less than seven hours each.
Existing drivers are exempt from the initial qualification process, but will need to complete the 'periodic training' to maintain their CPC status.
Only approved courses count towards the periodic training. The approval process for courses is managed by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT), on behalf of the Driving Standards Agency.
- More information about the CPC can be found at http://www.dsa.gov.uk/
- You can find a list of approved training centres through the JAUPT website at http://www.drivercpc-periodictraining.org/
Carriage of dangerous goods
Under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004, all drivers and vehicle attendants involved with dangerous goods require training and instruction.
Under regulation 24, drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous foods may need to hold a vocational training certificate, which can be obtained by attending a Department for Transport-approved training course.
Drivers of vehicles which may fall within this requirement are:
- A road tanker containing any dangerous goods
- A vehicle carrying a tank container loaded with dangerous goods
- A vehicle carrying dangerous goods in bulk
- A vehicle carrying radioactive material
- A vehicle carrying dangerous goods in packages
Click here for more details on the transport of dangerous goods.
Dangerous goods safety adviser
Companies who transport dangerous goods must have access to a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA).
Further information on the training of drivers for the carriage of dangerous goods or DGSAs can be found at http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/21541.html
London Freight Booster training
In London, more than half of all HGV drivers, and a third of van drivers, don't hold any formal qualifications. The London Freight Booster (LFB), which is delivered through the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) will help improve your drivers' skills by offering unique training on the challenges of driving commercial vehicles in the Capital.
There are two parts to the LFB - drivers attend a week-long course before putting the theory into practice when they return to work. By successfully completing both parts, drivers will gain a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), meaning their efforts to improve are formally recognised and rewarded.
The training covers the following modules:
Customer service skills
Maintaining the safety and security of the load
Contributing to reducing the threat of terrorism
Sharing London's roads safely with others
Pre and post-journey procedures
Transporting goods and materials in London
Route planning in London, including information on Congestion Charging, the Low Emission
Zone and the London Lorry Control Scheme
The training is delivered in partnership with Havering College of Further and Higher Education, the lead training provider in London for the transport and logistics sector. As a result, a network of training venues across London are available, meaning the training can be delivered at a location convenient to you.
Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training
SAFED is a one-day, off-the-job driver development training course aimed at improving the safe and fuel efficient driving techniques of commercial drivers in the HGV, LCV and aggregate sectors.
The training combines classroom-based and on-the-road tuition and drivers who successfully complete the course receive a certificate of achievement.
Data from more than 6000 drivers who have completed SAFED training show impressive results:
Average improvements in miles per gallon of more than 10 per cent
37 per cent reduction in gear changes
No impact on journey time
Visit http://www.safed.org.uk/ for more information about the training courses.
Skills for Logistics
Skills for Logistics is the Sector Skills Council for the UK's freight logistics industries. They are responsible for:
- Reducing skill gaps and shortages across the sector
- Increasing demand and investment in workplace development
- Improving the public image of the logistic sector
- Ensuring employer demand leads development of sector specific solutions
Funding is available for some types of training. Visit http://www.skillsforlogistics.org/ for more information.
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK - CILT(UK) - is the pre-eminent independent professional body for people involved in logistics, supply chains and transport.
Membership of CILT, which is represented in more than 30 countries across the world, gives you the tools you need to realise your ambitions and progress throughout your career, by keeping you informed of the latest news and information as well as by providing comprehensive opportunities for continuous professional development.
Visit http://www.ciltuk.org.uk/ for more details.
Useful links
a) Transport Office - Government Gateway website providing access to all driver, vehicle & operator agencies
b) Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) - Government agency responsible for driving tests and licensing in NI
c) Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) - Government agency responsible for driver licensing in GB
d) Skills for Logistics - Sector Skills Council for the freight logistics industry
e) Driving Standards Agency (DSA) - Government agency responsible for GB driving tests
f) Road Haulage Association (RHA) - Trade association for the road haulage sector
g) Freight Transport Association (FTA) - Trade association for the freight logistics sector
