CPC for new professional lorry, bus and coach drivers
If you want to drive professionally you need an initial Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification. You’ll get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) when you qualify. You must keep this with you when you’re driving professionally.
The Driver CPC initial qualification
To become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver you need to:
- have a full car licence
- be over 18 – but there are some exceptions
- get a Driver CPC certificate
You must have the full Driver CPC if you drive an HGV, bus or coach as the main part of your job
The Driver CPC initial qualification has four parts:
- part one - theory test (this includes two separate tests - multiple choice and hazard perception)
- part two - case study test
- part three - driving ability test
- part four - practical demonstration test
You must pass all four parts to get your Driver CPC.
Book the theory test and case study test
You can book parts one and two online. When you book using this service, you only pay the cost of the test – there’s no extra booking fee.
Book the driving ability test and practical demonstration test
You can also book parts three and four online. You can book online at the link below.
Order you take the tests in
You can take part one and part two in any order. You can also take part three and part four in any order. However, you must pass part one before you can take part three and pass part two before you can take part four.
What to take to your test
You must bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring the right documents.
Revision and Practice
Driver CPC part 1 test: theory
Part one - you can take the multiple-choice and hazard perception tests in any order, on the same day or on two separate days. Remember, if you are taking both tests on the same day, make sure you leave some time between the two tests.
Multiple-choice questions
The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:
- The Highway Code
- Know your traffic signs
- The Official DVSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles or The Official DVSA Guide to Driving Buses and Coaches
Take a free practice test
Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt. The questions are not used in the real test, but they are based on the same topics as the test.
Hazard perception test
To prepare for this test you can use the official guide to hazard perception.
You can buy the guide in these formats:
How the test works
Multiple-choice questions part
You have 1 hour and 55 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.
The pass mark for this part is 85 out of 100 questions.
Hazard perception part
Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.
You’ll then watch 19 video clips. The clips:
- feature everyday road scenes
- contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards
You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.
You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.
The pass mark for this part is 67 out of 100.
Your test result
You’ll be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you’ve just taken.
When you’ve passed both parts, you’ll be given your theory test certificate at the test centre.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.
For more information on part 1 visit: Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver: Driver CPC part 1 test: theory - GOV.UK
Driver CPC part 2 test: case studies
In addition to the training links in part 1, you can also study using:
- Driver CPC part 2: case studies for Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers if you’re learning to drive a lorry
- Driver CPC part 2: case studies for Bus and Coach Drivers if you’re learning to drive a bus or coach
How the test works
The test is made up of 7 case studies you work through on a computer. The case studies are short stories based on situations that you’re likely to come across in your working life.
You’ll be asked between 5 and 10 multiple-choice questions on each case study.
The test lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the pass mark is 40 out of 50.
More information can be found at Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver: Driver CPC part 2 test: case studies - GOV.UK
Driver CPC part 3 test: driving ability test
Your test will include:
- vehicle safety questions
- 1 hour of practical road driving
More information can be found at Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver: Driver CPC part 3b test: on-road driving - GOV.UK
Test result
You’ll pass your test if you make:
- 12 or fewer driving faults
- no serious or dangerous faults
Driver CPC part 4 test: practical demonstration
How the test works
The test is made up of 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus. You can score up to 20 points for each topic.
To pass you have to score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area and have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100.
More information can be found at Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver: Driver CPC part 4 test: practical demonstration - GOV.UK
Receiving your DQC
A DQC will be issued automatically once you have passed the initial qualification. It will be sent to the address on your driving licence, so make sure that your details are up-to-date. It can take up to three weeks to arrive. If you haven’t received it after three weeks contact DVA at Driver & Vehicle Agency - Certificate of Professional Competence
Driver CPC periodic training
You must do 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep your Driver CPC.
The training you need depends on where you want to drive.
Driving in the UK and Europe
You must complete 35 hours of only International Driver CPC training courses.
If you include any National training courses, you will get a National Driver CPC and will not be able to drive professionally in Europe.
Driving in the UK only
You must complete 35 hours of training. You can choose one of the following:
- National Driver CPC training courses only
- a mix of National and International Driver CPC training
Where to do your training
You have to do the training in the country where you work or normally live.
Return to driving training
If you previously qualified and your CPC card has expired, you may need to complete Driver CPC training to return to driving.
What you need to do depends on when you originally got your licence.
You should not unnecessarily repeat the same periodic training module within a five-year rolling period. A range of different subjects should be covered over the driver’s 35 hours of periodic training. If unnecessary repetition of periodic training occurs, action may be taken against the driver and trainer.
When you don’t need Driver CPC
There are exceptions from the Driver CPC qualification if you drive certain vehicles. You can move in and out of an exemption, depending on the circumstances in which they are driving.