Coronavirus and the extension by 7 months, of DQC (driver CPC) card expiry dates
Extension of expiry dates
We occasionally received enquiries from customer about the changes that have been forced on our industries during these unpresidented times and this is such a subject.
Most professional lorry and bus drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to maintain their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence qualification. This is evidenced by a Driver CPC card.
The card is sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’.
The validity of DQCs with expiry dates from 1 February 2020 to 31 August 2020 have been extended by 7 months. If the expiry date on your card is in this period, you should add 7 months to run-out (4b on the card) date to calculate the new expiry date.
Examples
A DQC with an expiry date of 1 February 2020 is now valid until 1 September 2020.
A DQC with an expiry date of 1 July 2020 is now valid until 1 February 2021.
You will not be issued with a new card to reflect the new expiry date.
You must still continue to carry your DQC.
Periodic training – DQC with an expiry date from 1 February 2020 to 31 August 2020
The 7 month extension to the validity of your DQC gives you an extra 7 months to complete your 35 hours of periodic training. You have 5 years and 7 months from the date your current CPC became valid to undertake this training.
Example
Your DQC validity has been extended from 30 June 2020 to 31 January 2021. This means periodic training undertaken from 1 July 2015 counts towards the 35 hours of training you must complete by 31 January 2021 to renew your DQC.
Enforcement arrangements
DQC with an expiry date from 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2020
On 31 March 2020 DVSA gave notice that, subject to review, it did not intend to carry out enforcement action against drivers from 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2020 if their DQC expired during this period.
This gave these drivers up to 29 extra days to complete their periodic CPC training, if this was disrupted due to COVID-19.
This notice has been rescinded and enforcement action will be carried out from September in relation to DQCs expiring after 31 August, as there are now enough periodic training courses available for drivers whose DQC expires in September 2020 to renew their DQC before then.
If your DQC is due to expire on September 2020, you must not drive until it is renewed. You and your Company could both face a £1000 fine if you drive without a valid DQC and you are caught doing so. In addition you could be called to a driver misconduct hearing and the Company to a Public Inquiry; although currently these would be dealt with remotely.
Where this applies
All EU countries are obliged to recognise the extension of your DQC. You must carry your DQC when carrying out international road transport.
