What is CPC training? Major licensing changes on the way

The driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a mandatory qualification for those who want to drive a bus, coach, or lorry for work. From 1 February 2025, there’ll be significant changes to CPC regulation that’ll make it simpler for drivers with expired CPC licences to requalify and get back on the road. 

Professional drivers with CPC licenses that have expired between 60 days and two years will now be able to take a seven-hour online course to regain their qualification. This applies to drivers that want to drive both nationally and internationally. 

CPC card renewal overhaul in 2025

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are making it simpler for drivers to requalify for their CPC. Previously, when your CPC license expired, you’d need to do 35 hours of training to be able to drive professionally again. 

But from 1 February, the ‘return to driving’ training module will allow professional drivers to take a seven-hour online course to get a national CPC. Completing this  allows you to drive for work in the UK but not in the EU. 

You’ll then need to complete a further 28 hours of online CPC training within 12 months of finishing the ‘return to driving’ module. Once you’ve done the additional 28 hours of training, you’ll be able to drive in the EU (if you’re applying for an international CPC). 

Driver CPC to be scrapped? 

Driver CPC are not being scrapped – the DVSA are just reviewing the process to try and give professional drivers more flexibility. For example, you can now choose whether you want a national or international CPC, when in the past there was only one option. 

There was some speculation that the DVSA was looking to scrap the current system and replace it with something else. Instead the DVSA are evolving CPC in three ways: 

• introducing a national driver CPC – a new qualification specifically for drivers who only drive in the UK  
• changing the periodic training requirements – the minimum length of a training course has been reduced from 7 hours to 3.5 hours, and there’s more flexibility in how drivers can complete their training 
• introducing a new ‘return to driving’ module (as explained above)

What is CPC training? 

CPC training is a course drivers need to take to professionally drive buses, coaches, or lorries in the UK and EU. This is in addition to a driving licence and is designed to improve the driving skills of people who want to drive professionally. 

If you’ve never had a CPC, you’ll need to take a standardised course that covers: 

• driving and vehicle safety 
• customer service 
• the regulation involved to drive for work 

You also need to complete 35 hours CPC training every five years to maintain your license. 

The content of these courses can vary a lot depending on the type of driving you’re planning to do – there isn’t one standard CPC course once you’ve taken the initial one. You’ll typically choose a CPC course that relates to your area of professional driving. 

For example, the course a HGV driver needs to do will be different to a bus driver. 

How much does CPC training cost?  

There isn’t a standard cost for CPC training. When it comes to the initial CPC test, it can cost anywhere between £500 to £1000 in total. 

But to gain a CPC, you’ll need to complete a variety of tests as well as pay for training. You’ll need to complete the following tests to qualify for a CPC: 

• theory test – including both multiple choice and hazard perception (£23) 
• case studies test (£23) 
• driving ability test (£115 on a weekday to £141 evenings/weekends)
• practical demonstration (£55)

The cost for training is what varies most. Depending on whether you do one-to-one or group  training, you could end up spending anywhere between £200 to £600. 

More useful guides for drivers 

• How much is business van insurance?
• 6 new driving laws in 2025 
• How to buy a business van
• What’s the maximum fine for driving without insurance?