Driver Certificate of Professional Competence scheme – improvements to administrative arrangements
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) announced the results of the consultation exercise: Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) scheme - improvements to administrative arrangements on 9 November 2009.
The changes relate to the administrative arrangements for booking and taking Driver CPC (Module 2) theory and (Module 4) practical tests.
We had hoped to introduce many of the proposals on 10 September 2009 to coincide with the introduction of the CPC for lorry drivers. Unfortunately, in order to comply with parliamentary procedures, this did not prove possible. Ministers therefore decided that the changes would be introduced in respect of tests taken on or after 6 April 2010.
The response to consultation report and the impact assessments can be found on the DSA website at dsa.gov.uk by following the links: Consultations > Consultation responses > Driver Certificate of Professional Competence scheme – improvements to administrative arrangements.
Summary of decisions
Except where otherwise indicated, Ministers decided to introduce the following changes as described in the consultation document for tests taken on or after 6 April 2010:
- clarify which vehicles can be used for CPC practical tests. This proposal has been revised to allow candidates for the Module 4 (practical) tests to use a wider choice of vehicles and to remove some domestic standards which enable the examiner to conduct the on-road practical test efficiently and safely
- introduce a minimum three clear working day wait before an unsuccessful candidate can re-take that test
- introduce a minimum three clear working notice period for candidates who wish to cancel a DSA CPC theory or practical test without losing the fee. This proposal has been amended to exclude tests delivered by non- DSA examiners
- give examiners an explicit right to refuse to conduct a theory or practical CPC test where a candidate has failed to meet relevant requirements; and to forfeit their fee in those circumstances.
- introduce a Trainer Booking Facility for theory and practical CPC tests
- require candidates to pass the CPC theory test before being eligible to book the CPC practical test
Ministers have also decided to require those drivers with ‘acquired rights’ who hold an old-style (paper) driving licence to exchange it for photo-card a licence as part of the process for being issued with a driving qualification card. This change will require further changes to legislation which will be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
Further publicity will be given before this change is introduced.
11 February 2010