Parliament has approved changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC), aimed at enhancing road safety.
- A significant amendment is the reduction of the minimum training module duration from seven hours to 3.5 hours.
- E-learning options will be separated from traditional courses, offering more flexibility for drivers and trainers.
- An accelerated pathway for returning lapsed drivers is introduced, streamlining their re-entry into the industry.
- These reforms are seen as beneficial in maintaining safety while providing more adaptable training methods.
Parliament’s recent approval of amendments to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) marks a crucial step towards improving road safety. These changes are applauded by Logistics UK for introducing much-needed flexibility in the training system. One of the most notable modifications is the reduction of each training module’s minimum duration from seven hours to 3.5 hours, though the overall training requirement remains at 35 hours. This development aims to make the scheduling of training sessions less onerous for both drivers and operators, focusing on delivering relevant and targeted training material.
Another pivotal change is the decoupling of e-learning from trainer-led courses. This transition is designed to offer operators more flexibility, allowing them to tailor the training approach to the specific needs of their drivers. Despite the increased emphasis on e-learning, the option to attend traditional face-to-face sessions remains available for those uncomfortable with digital methods. Logistics UK has emphasized the advantages of being able to adapt training content to fit business requirements, ensuring that the sector’s diverse needs are met comprehensively.
The introduction of an accelerated pathway for drivers wishing to return after a lapse in DCPC certification stands out. This pathway eliminates the former necessity of completing the full 35-hour training regime, easing the process for experienced drivers to re-enter the workforce. Chris Yarsley, a senior policy manager at Logistics UK, highlights the importance of maintaining high standards in these return modules, especially in areas such as safety legislation and load security, to prevent potential shortages in the supply chain.
Logistics UK supports outcome-based learning, advocating for the incorporation of assessments at the end of training modules. However, there is a strong opposition to replacing periodic training with a binary pass/fail test, as it could exacerbate driver shortages by discouraging some from pursuing or continuing in the profession. Yarsley argues that such an approach would undermine efforts to stabilise the workforce, possibly leading to further departures from the sector.
The approved changes to DCPC aim to balance improved safety with greater flexibility, ensuring efficient driver training in the UK.
