Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th April 2024 Issue no. 1111
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New research reveals that 3-in-4 drivers are yet to complete required CPC training
New research has revealed that only 24% of drivers have completed the full 35 hours Driver Certificate of Professional Competence training required of them by 2019, with nearly half of drivers (49%) still at least 14 hours short.
The research of commercial drivers and operators unveiled that over 52% of the respondents welcome training as they feel it helps them to be a better driver, while over half would like to see new industry courses introduced.
Despite the reputation of one-day, classroom based training, this is the preferred way of delivering CPC training over half day courses, online modules, videos and Toolbox Talks, with 40% of drivers agreeing with this method.
The survey was carried out by a leading training provider for the road transport industry and Transport for London's primary DCPC training contractor, Fleet Source. It revealed that 83% of the drivers surveyed have been driving professionally for 10 years or more.
"Commercial drivers are required to do 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence," says Nick Caesari, managing director at Fleet Source. ?Driver CPC is the standard applied to initial driver training and career-long continuing education. If drivers fail to complete their 35 hours CPC training and they are driving professionally, then they can be fined up to £1,000."
Some 96% of respondents are concerned for vulnerable road users around their vehicles and 'Vulnerable Road User' is the most attended training course by drivers. However, drivers voted 'Vehicle road worthiness' as the most important training topic in their opinion.
"With the ever-increasing number of cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists on our roads, it is essential that HGV, PCV and PSV drivers are able to operate safely and reduce the risks of driving in today's busy environments," warns Nick. "There are various training courses that can help with this and also count towards drivers' required CPC hours.
"When choosing driver training, we should consider the roles, responsibilities and opinions of drivers to ensure they are receiving the most relevant driver training that is important to them, to make sure drivers continue to see value in the training they are attending."
The survey also revealed that drivers are not always confident in recognising relevant agencies or bodies. Only 11% drivers are totally confident that they know what identification undercover police should carry and only 28% being totally confident of being able to recognise a legitimate highways officer.
"It is a concern that drivers are not totally confident in recognising professional bodies relating to the transport industry," continues Nick. "It is clear that training is needed that will assist drivers to be 100% confident in ensuring that the person they are being approached by is in fact who they say they are. Being educated on this subject can help protect drivers and the public from everyday risks."
The research also showed that not all drivers are sure if they have certain policy and procedures in place for key risk factors when being on the road. One in three drivers said they didn't or didn't know if they had policies and procedures in place when it comes to 'where to' and 'where not' to park, and 31% said they didn't or didn't know if they had policies and procedures in place for the security of keys.
"The research suggests that more can be done to support and protect commercial drivers," adds NIck. "It also reveals that drivers want to be trained and would welcome new courses.
"Fleet Source's driver courses are interactively designed to engage delegates and ensure the experience is interesting, thought-provoking and enjoyable, whilst achieving the training objectives. We believe that employees who are trained and are able to demonstrate their competency will be an asset to any company. To sum it up - better drivers mean better business."
Fleet Source has the UK's largest fleet compliance auditing team and as the exclusive accreditation body of the FORS Community Partnership (alongside AECOM and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport), it now conducts over 5,000 FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) audits annually, across the UK & Europe.
15th March 2018