If you are a professional driver or you oversee and manage a fleet of drivers, then you will likely already be familiar with the CPC card. This card acts as proof that a driver has undergone the relevant and necessary training to safely drive lorries, buses, and/or coaches as part of their role. 

The CPC card is a mandatory requirement for any driver who handles commercial loads or passenger loads and must be carried on their person whenever they are driving at work. 

What all of this means is that the CPC card is more than just proof of training. It’s a driver’s main proof that they are properly qualified for their role, with fines handed to those who don’t carry a valid card with them for work. 

This article is all about what to do if that card is nearing its expiration, what happens when the card actually expires, and how to renew the card in plenty of time.

What is the CPC card, and why is it important?

The CPC card is a driver’s Certificate of Professional Competence. It is recognised as proof that a driver has undergone the relevant amount of training needed to do their job safely and underpins their competence and commitment to safety and regulations. 

What many drivers don’t realise is that, whether they want to progress with their career in the transport industry or stay in their current role, the CPC card needs to be valid and kept up to date. CPC cards do have an expiry, with the only way of maintaining card validity being to complete a course of training programmes within five years of the previous card being issued.

When does a driver’s CPC card expire?

Each driver CPC card has a lifespan of five years, after which it automatically expires. Drivers who don’t renew in time face significant fines and even driving bans — and because the CPC is a legal requirement rather than a nice-to-have credential, there’s no grace period to fall back on. 

So what does renewal actually involve, and how can drivers stay on top of it before the deadline creeps up?

What to do to renew your CPC card

In order to renew your CPC card, drivers need to complete 35 hours of training across a range of different courses. Courses can be completed in-person or online, with drivers able to include up to 12 hours of e-learning within those 35 hours. The wide assortment of available training courses means that unnecessary repetition within the five-year period should be easy to avoid, though drivers do need to note that training must be diverse in its programming and subject matter. And this is where companies like Novadata come in.

Accessing our range of CPC training courses

At Novadata, we offer a range of different training courses that all contribute towards your total provision of 35 hours. These include topics from tachograph use and driving hours training to health and safety, manual handling, eco-driving and even a dangerous goods awareness course. 

Drivers who complete journeys overseas and on international ground need to follow a specific format with regard to their training, completing five seven-hour courses over a five-year period to keep their CPC licence valid. Drivers who stick to national journeys and UK travel have a little more leeway in terms of their training options, including ten 3.5-hour courses over the same five-year period. 

All courses can be tailored to your drivers’ needs and can be brought to your site if you have a group of drivers who all need to complete a specific course. Alternatively, drivers can book places on our individual courses as required, with our advice being to spread the training over the five years rather than leaving it all to the last minute. 

For more information about our training provision and courses, get in touch with the Novadata team directly. Don’t leave it until the deadline is looming — spreading training across the five-year period is always the smarter approach, and our team can help you build a schedule that works around your operation.

Common questions about CPC cards

What happens if I drive with an expired CPC card? Driving commercially without a valid CPC card is a criminal offence. Drivers can face fines of up to £1,000, and employers who knowingly allow this also risk penalties. The card must be carried at all times while driving for work. 

Can I do all 35 hours at once? Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Completing all your training in a short window at the end of your five-year period is riskier — if courses fill up or scheduling doesn’t work out, you could miss the deadline. Spreading training throughout the period keeps things manageable and ensures your team stays current on regulations. 

Can training be brought to our depot? Yes. Novadata can deliver group training at your site, which is particularly useful if you have multiple drivers who need to complete the same course. Get in touch to discuss options and availability.