1. Staying qualified

From 3 December 2024, you will be able to choose to stay qualified using either:

• International Driver CPC
• National Driver CPC

1.1 International Driver CPC

International Driver CPC is the new name for how Driver CPC previously worked.

You need to take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every 5 years to be allowed to drive in the EU and the UK.

The are no changes to how it works. This means that:

• courses you take must be at least 7 hours long
• if a course is split over a day, you must complete it on 2 consecutive days
• you’re allowed to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards your overall 35 hours of training

1.2 National Driver CPC

National Driver CPC is a more flexible version of the previous Driver CPC.

If you only want to drive in the UK, you’ll be able to take either:

• 35 hours of National Driver CPC training every 5 years
• a combination of 35 hours of National Driver CPC and International Driver CPC training every 5 years

The new flexibility means that National Driver CPC courses:

• must be at least 3 hours 30 minutes long - training providers can still offer longer courses if they want to
• will not need to be completed on 2 consecutive days if it’s a split course - course providers are free to set their own time limits
• can be e-learning only - for example, you can take an approved 3 hours 30 minutes long e-learning course at your workplace or home
• allow you to do a total of 12 hours e-learning towards your overall 35 hours of training

1.3 Summary of options to stay qualified 

From 3 December 2024, you will have 2 options to stay qualified:

1. Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training every 5 years to be able to drive in the UK and EU.
2. Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC (or a combination of 35 hours of National and International CPC training) every 5 years to be able to drive in the UK.

2. Getting qualified

When you pass the qualifying tests, you will automatically have International Driver CPC for the first 5 years.

This means you will be able to drive in the UK and the EU.

The type of periodic training you then take to stay qualified will then affect which type of Driver CPC you have from that point on.

3. Returning to professional driving

At the moment, if your Driver CPC has expired and you want to return to driving, you always need to take 35 hours of training before you’re allowed to start driving again. 

This will change from 1 February 2025.

3.1 If your International or National Driver CPC expired up to 2 years ago

From 1 February 2025, if your International or National Driver CPC has been expired between 60 days and 2 years, you will have 4 options.

Option 1: International Driver CPC training

The first option is the current process that’s available.

1. Take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training.

2. Start driving professionally again in the UK and EU.

Option 2: National Driver CPC training

1. Take 35 hours of National Driver CPC training.

2. Start driving professionally again in the UK.

Option 3: International Driver CPC training with a ‘return to driving’ module

1. Take a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ training module.
2. Start driving professionally again in the UK.
3. Take 28 hours of other International Driver CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module.
4. Start driving professionally again in the EU.

Option 4: National Driver CPC training with a ‘return to driving’ module

1. Take a new 7-hour ‘return to driving’ training module.
2. Start driving professionally again in the UK.
3. Take a further 28 hours of National Driver CPC or International Driver CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module.

After you’ve requalified

You’ll need to stay qualified using the options available at the time. 

3.2 If your International or National Driver CPC expired more than 2 years ago

The changes in 2025 will not affect what you need to do if your International or National Driver CPC expired more than 2 years ago.

This means you will still need to either:

• take 35 hours of International Driver CPC training before you can drive again in the UK and EU
• take 35 hours of National Driver CPC (or a combination of 35 hours of National and International CPC training) before you can drive again in the UK

4. Driver CPC cards

The rules around carrying Driver CPC cards are not changing. You must still carry this card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally.

From 3 December 2024, depending on which option you choose to stay qualified with you’ll get a different Driver CPC card (sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’. 

When you pass the initial qualifying tests, you will get the Driver CPC card for International Driver CPC.

You can hold both types of Driver CPC card if you are qualified to drive both HGVs and buses or coaches professionally. For example, you will get both cards If you choose to stay qualified using International Driver CPC for HGVs and National Driver CPC for buses.

Driver CPC card for International Driver CPC

This card will look the same as the current Driver CPC card. 

Driver CPC card for National Driver CPC

This card will look similar to the current Driver CPC card but will include the text ‘DOMESTIC UK USE ONLY’.