Taxi, Coaches AND DRIVER CPC

Who is the qualification for?

All people working in road passenger transport operations including drivers and those in passenger support roles.

The aim of the course is to enable drivers/taxi drivers to develop their skills & knowledge and demonstrate best practice to the customer & the public in general,

What are the entry requirements?

On acceptance to the course, candidates must hold full driving license, current road tax and insurance. Before becoming a fully operational taxi driver, either a Hackney Carriage License or Private Hire License will need to be obtained. Driving and having a road worthy vehicle are essential components of the assessment process.

How is the course assessed?
The qualification is competence based. This means that it is linked to the candidate's ability to competently perform a range of tasks connected with their work. Candidates plan a program of development and assessment with their tutor and compile a portfolio of evidence to prove they are competent and knowledgeable in their work role.

The learner will be assessed in their work place through naturally occurring work activity, observations, personal statements, reflective logs, witness testimony and a demonstration of underpinning knowledge and understanding of the principle concepts.

How does this qualification improve my career prospects?
There is evidence from industry and licensing authorities that this qualification is respected and that training programs have been welcomed throughout the UK. Allowing companies to remain competitive by increased efficiency, improvements to customer & public perception as well as reduced running costs.

How will this qualification benefit me?
It will provide evidence that you are competent in the transportation of others. Have a thorough understanding of current transportation and health & safety legislation and the principles of customer service good practices.

What will I study on the course?

Candidates are required to take nine units: seven mandatory plus two optional units (to be agreed with tutor / employer)

Mandatory Units

• Ensure health & safety in your work environment in the Road Passenger Transport industry.
  
• Drive Community Transport, Chauffeured, Taxi or Private Hire Vehicles safely and efficiently.
  
• Provide professional Customer Service.
  
• Deal effectively with difficult passengers.
  
• Deal with emergencies and Incidents during a journey.
  
• Provide a transport service for passengers who require assistance.
  
• Transportation of children & young persons.

How long will it take?

The qualification usually takes between 3 to 6 months to complete. This will be agreed by you with your assessor, to meet your individual requirements.

• print course details

Who is the qualification for?
The Award is designed to support and develop the knowledge of existing or prospective drivers who wish to begin a career or enhance career prospects in transporting passengers. It provides opportunities for those seeking a career in driving passenger transport vehicles to gain a nationally recognized qualification that conforms to the National Occupational Standards for Road Passenger Vehicle Driving.

The course is suitable for those wishing to return to a career in driving and wish to update their existing skills and knowledge.

What are the entry requirements?
On acceptance to the course, candidates must hold a full driving license, current road tax and insurance. Before becoming a fully operational driver, either a Hackney carriage license or Private Hire License will need to be obtained. Driving and having a road worthy vehicle are essential components of the assessment process.

How is the course assessed?
The award is delivered in a way that suits the individual and will consist of a series of classroom teaching sessions.

At the end of the program there are two online assessments which the candidate must pass. The first assessment consists of 60 questions taking one hour; the second has 80 questions which must be answered in 80 minutes.

How will this qualification benefit me?
It will provide evidence that you are competent in the transportation of others. Have a thorough understanding of current transportation and health & safety legislation and the principles of customer service good practices.

What will I study on the course?**

Candidates are required to successfully complete seven units:

• Customer Service for Passenger Transport
  
• Equality and Diversity in Passenger Transport
  
• Passenger Transport and Disability Awareness
  
• Transporting Passengers Safely
  
• Carriage of Luggage and Parcels by Taxi and Private Hire
  
• Map Reading and Route Planning
  
• Taxi and Private Hire Regulations (UK)

** This Award may also be delivered in tandem with / as an optional addition and complimentary to NVQ Level 2: Road passenger Vehicle Driving (Taxi & Private Hire)

How long will it take?

The qualification is usually completed within 12 hours of guided learning which comprises tutor input, knowledge and understanding of basic concepts and the two, on-line assessments.

• print course details

 

Who is the qualification for?

All persons working in the bus or coach transportation industry.
The aim of the course is to enable drivers/taxi drivers to develop their skills & knowledge and demonstrate best practice to the customer & the public in general,

What are the entry requirements?

On acceptance to the course, candidates must hold full driving license, current road tax and insurance. Before becoming a fully operational taxi driver, either a Hackney Carriage License or Private Hire License will need to be obtained. Driving and having a road worthy vehicle are essential components of the assessment process.

How is the course assessed?
The qualification is competence based. This means that it is linked to the candidate's ability to competently perform a range of tasks connected with their work. Candidates plan a program of development and assessment with their tutor and compile a portfolio of evidence to prove they are competent and knowledgeable in their work role.

The learner will be assessed in their work place through naturally occurring work activity, observations, personal statements, reflective logs, witness testimony and a demonstration of underpinning knowledge and understanding of the principle concepts.

How does this qualification improve my career prospects?
There is evidence from industry and licensing authorities that this qualification is respected and that training programs have been welcomed throughout the UK. Allowing companies to remain competitive by increased efficiency, improvements to customer & public perception as well as reduced running costs.

How will this qualification benefit me?
It will provide evidence that you are competent in the transportation of others. Have a thorough understanding of current transportation and health & safety legislation and the principles of customer service good practices.

What will I study on the course?

Candidates are required to take ten units:

• Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
  
• Contribute to health & safety.
  
• Provide professional customer service.
  
• Prepare for passenger carrying journeys.
  
• Help passengers who have special needs.
  
• Sharing information on operations of services.
  
• Deal effectively with difficult passengers.
  
• Drive vehicles safely and efficiently.
  
• Operate passenger systems and service.
  
• Deal with emergencies and incidents during a journey.
  

How long will it take?

The qualification usually takes between 3 to 6 months to complete. This will be agreed by you with your assessor, to meet your individual requirements.

• print course details

 

What is Driver CPC?

Driver CPC is being introduced across the European Union to maintain high
driving standards and improve road safety. All professional bus, coach and lorry drivers must hold a Driver CPC if they want to drive for a living.

NB: any drivers of lorries of 3.5 tons and upwards, and minibuses with 9
seats or more must obtain a Driver CPC.

How will it affect me?

From 10th September 2008
All bus (PCV) drivers will have to gain this qualification by completing 35 hours of training (5 days) before Sept 2013.
Licence categories are: D1, D1+E, D, D+E

From 10th September 2009
All truck (LGV) drivers will have to gain this qualification by completing 35 hours of training (5 days) before Sept 2014.
Licence categories are: C1, C1+E, C, C+E

All drivers will need to complete a minimum of 35 hours of periodic training within every five year period. The training will require attendance at courses but will not require drivers to take or pass further examinations.

How you gain your Driver CPC will depend upon whether you are a new or
existing driver.

If you are an existing driver you will have ‘acquired rights’ as you already hold a vocational driving licence (C, C1, CE, C1E, D*, D1*, DE*, and D1E*) on the relevant start dates. Bus and coach drivers will hold acquired rights up until 9 September 2013 and lorry drivers until 9 September 2014. To keep your Driver CPC and continue driving professionally beyond this date, you will need to undertake regular periodic training.

New drivers will need to pass a new initial qualification to gain their vocational driving licence and qualify for their Driver CPC. For a new driver, their requirement to undertake a minimum of 35 hours’ periodic training to retain their Driver CPC will start once they have passed the initial qualification.

What is periodic training?

Periodic training is continuing professional development for bus, coach
and lorry drivers. It carries on throughout the professional driver’s career –
no matter how infrequently they drive.

The minimum length of a training course is 7 hours. Where a course of 7 hours is split into two parts the second part must start within 24 hours of the completion of the first part. It is important that you allow yourself enough time to complete your training within the five year period. There is no advantage in delaying your periodic training. The sooner you train, the sooner your knowledge and skills will be refreshed and updated, which will enhance your professionalism. Driver CPC requires you to complete a minimum of 35 hours of periodic training during every five year cycle for as long as you wish to continue driving professionally.

What subjects will periodic training cover?

Periodic training is designed to complement the individual driver’s work and be relevant to their every day job. Courses may include SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving) style training, defensive driving techniques, first aid, health and safety, driver’s hours regulations and tachographs. Courses will also enable drivers to keep up to date with changing regulations. The syllabus broadly covers:

• Safe and fuel efficient driving
• Legal requirements
• Health and safety, service and logistics

Who will deliver periodic training?

Only approved courses taken with approved training centres will count towards periodic training. The approval process for courses is managed on behalf of the Driving Standards Agency by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT). DSA will provide a central database to keep records of the periodic training completed by each driver. It will be the responsibility of the training centre to enter records onto the database (there will be online access for drivers to enquire on their own training records).

Is there a test to pass?

No. There is no requirement for a course to include a test or a pass/fail element.

I hold both a PCV and LGV licence; will I need to undertake two sets of periodic training?

No, only one set of periodic training needs to be completed every five years.

How will I prove I hold Driver CPC?

You will be able to prove you hold Driver CPC by a Driver Qualification Card (DQC). The card will be issued to new drivers automatically on successfully passing the initial qualification. Existing drivers (holding a GB photo card licence) will be automatically issued with the card on completion of the 35th hour of periodic training.

For existing drivers, their ‘acquired rights’ means that their driving licence will be accepted as proof of their Driver CPC status until they have completed their 35 hours training within the first 5 year cycle at which point they will be issued with a DQC.

There will be no charge for the card at point of issue.

As the card will be sent to the address on your driving licence it is important that you keep your details up to date with DVLA. You must carry your DQC whilst driving and there will be penalties if you are found to be driving professionally without one. If your DQC has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must report it to the DSA within 7 days and apply for a replacement card. There will be a fee to replace and issue new cards. To report your DQC card lost, stolen or damaged contact: Email customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk (putting ‘DQC Enquiry’ in the subject field) or telephone 0300 200 1122. Once you have reported it you will be able to drive for up to 15 days without a card while a replacement is sent to you.

NB: if your card has been lost or stolen you must inform your employer.

Are there any special concessions?

There are exemptions from the Driver CPC qualification for drivers of vehicles:

• used for the non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods, for personal use
• undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or new or rebuilt vehicles not yet put into service
• used in the course of driving lessons for any person wishing to obtain a driving licence or Driver CPC
• carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in the course of his or her work, provided that driving the vehicle does not constitute the driver’s principal activity
• with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45km/h
• used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service, and forces responsible for maintaining public order
• used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions.

What driver CPC courses do CableCom deliver?

At present we deliver the following 7 hour courses:

1. Fuel Economy Training
2. Drivers Hours & Tachograph including Working Time Directive
3. Maintanance, Daily Checks, Speed Limits, Driving Regulations, Signs and Restrictions
4. Health & Safety, Loading / Un Loading, PPE, Risk Assessments
5. Customer Service & Soft Skills

CableCom are in the process of developing a number of syllabuses’s in order to cater for both PCV & LGV drivers.