Major driving law changes set to launch within months could see Britons slapped with £1,000 fine
The new driving law changes could be introduced in the coming months
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Britons are being warned of incoming driving law changes which could impact motorists and potentially keep them off the road.
In May this year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) outlined that changes would likely be made to qualify for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
This professional driving qualification is required to be a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver. The Government consulted on making changes to the Driver CPC last year.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, motorists will be able to choose to stay qualified using either the International Driver CPC or the National Driver CPC. These rules are expected to be passed "later in 2024".
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The DVSA stated that the new changes would offer more flexibility for motorists
PAWhile the Driver CPC qualification is not being scrapped, changes will be made to make it more flexible for people who only drive in the UK.
International Driver CPC will be the new name for how the Driver CPC currently works. Motorists will be required to take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every five years to be allowed to drive in the EU and the UK.
No changes will be made to how it will work, meaning that courses must be at least seven hours long, and be completed on two consecutive days (if a course is split over a day, e-learning in a trainer-led course must be limited to two hours. They can do a total of 12 hours of e-learning.
However, the new National Driver CPC will be a more flexible version of the existing Driver CPC.
If someone only wants to drive in the UK, they will be able to take either 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every five years or a combination of 35 hours of National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC training every five years.
The courses must be at least three hours and 30 minutes long, with training providers able to offer longer courses if they want to.
Split courses will not need to be completed on two consecutive days, as course providers will be free to set their own time limits.
Motorists will also be able to take e-learning-only courses. This means they could take an approved e-learning course at their workplace or at home, which will also take three hours and 30 minutes.
Britons choosing to do the National Driver CPC will also be able to do a total of 12 hours of e-learning towards their overall 35 hours of training.
The DVSA highlights how this is still subject to Parliamentary approval, which is expected to take place later in 2024, with two options available to stay qualified.
They can either take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every five years to be able to drive in the UK and EU or 35 hours of National Driver CPC (or a combination of 35 hours of National and International CPC training) every five years to be able to drive in the UK.
Motorists are being warned that drivers should make a conscious note of their training deadline as they must stay qualified using the options detailed or risk a £1,000 fine for driving professionally without Driver CPC.
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Further changes could be introduced next year
NATIONAL HIGHWAYSFurther changes are planned for 2025, meaning that drivers will have three options if their International or National Driver CPC has been expired between 60 days and two years.