Exemptions and Driver CPC fees

Exemptions

There are exceptions from the Driver CPC qualification for drivers of vehicles:

• used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods
• undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service
• used during driving lessons for enabling that person to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC
• carrying material or equipment to be used by that person during their work, as long as driving is less than 30 percent of the rolling monthly working time* with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45km/h, but the vehicle cannot be carrying passengers or goods
• used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order
• used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions

*An example of a driver (also known as incidental driver) would be a brick layer who drives a load of bricks from the builder's yard to the building site and then spends their working day laying bricks. In this case, driving a lorry is incidental to their main occupation.

Drivers can move in and out of an exemption, depending on the circumstances in which they are driving. For example, a bus mechanic would be excused while driving a bus to check that it had been repaired, but would need to hold a Driver CPC if they also drove a bus on a passenger carrying service.

If you are not sure if you need the Driver CPC, you should seek legal advice.

Driver CPC fees

When you book your theory or practical driving test direct with the Driver & Vehicle Agency, you only pay the cost of the test.

There is no extra administration or booking fee.