Fred that is a firm based and situated in ALBANIA,and will be not subject to this ruleing BUT if he trys to put drivers from there in his lorrys with austrian
no-plates he has to obey this ruleinghas more than likely started a company in ALBANIA DIRECT ,butdo not worry they will not get away with what they used to do ,
Wheel Nut:
Do not get confused betweent the Certificate of Professional Competence issued by the RSA… That is indeed still valid for life although many things have changed since I passed both mine in 1984 / 1986 respectivelyThis is a new refresher course for drivers similar to the FOCA thing in France, unfortunately someone has chosen CPC as a good name for it
On the job and refresher training can only be a good thing, I have been riding a motorcycle since I was 16, although I only took my bike test in 2001. That instructor taught me how to pass a riding test, at no time did they teach me how to ride a motorcycle.
Last week at Silverstone was part 2 of an advanced training program to teach you the finer points of riding safer and faster. I paid for that myaself because I wanted to improve my riding
If its like the French FOCA then on face value it doesn’t sound too bad, I just worry that in usual fashion it will be severely overloaded with lots of unnecesarry things, which make it ten times as hard and in the whole, irrelivent to the actual work of a truck driver. It may be a totally unfounded fear, I hope so but after seeing the nonsense they came out with thats called the WTD nothing would surprise me and I’ll expect the worst, then it can only get better.
Just another thought with regard to ‘professionalism’ and continuation training.
Do we not expect that the professionals who are employed in our medical system recieve regular training in new practices? Is it not correct that all the doctors and nurses are trained in new developments with regard to advances and research in all aspects of medicine, ranging from new drugs to new medical machines??
These medical professionals have a great responsibility and we expect (neigh, demand) that they get it right all of the time! Continued training is the key, otherwise innocent people might suffer or even die!!
A bit like driving truck really, isn’t it■■? 
but if i doctor isn’t available for the next round of training is he/she told she can’t practise anymore until they’ve completed that training, are they told they are not computent to do the job they’ve been doing for years because they’ve not done the latest tecnique training? of caorse not!
as i’ve said, i’m all for training/retraining but thats got to be down to the employer to organise and fund not the under paid over worked employee!
muckles:
paul b:
i agree if theres going to be tacho laws, which i think every body would agree are needed then why are the current regs so outdated and unrealistic?
4.5 hours max drive, why? modern trucks are more comfitable than sitting in an armchair at home, uk roads on the whole are good so why such a short driving period?
theres lads in the steel works on 12 hour shifts, they operate some seriously big machinery, they get 30 miutes in the morning and 15 in the afternoon, is there any difference?
to me all the current regs acheave is to put drivers under pressure to cover as much ground as possible in the shortest amount of time.The recommended period for driving is just 2 hours with a 30 min break, ok so some other who operate heavey machinery have fewer breaks, but they work in a more controlled environment were some dizzy old pensioner doesn’t suddenly brake in front of them for no reason.
the point being, those lads operating the machines work in an enviroment totally dominated by health and safety but theres nothing to say they can’t work six hours without a break so why are drivers restricted to 4.5 hours, do people suddenly become incapable of rational thought at this point do they all turn into zombies? theres got to be some common sense involved, i see no reason why you couldn’t extend that period to 5.5 or 6 hours maybe a couple of times a week. i’m affraid this new idea of five yearly testing will be just more regulations designed and put in place by people who’ve never done the job.
paul b:
but if i doctor isn’t available for the next round of training is he/she told she can’t practise anymore until they’ve completed that training, are they told they are not computent to do the job they’ve been doing for years because they’ve not done the latest tecnique training?
No Paul they’re not, but neither will they be able to use the latest medicines/new treatments etc until they are deemd to be competent with them. They will have to demonstarte an ongoing professional competence.
paul b:
but thats got to be down to the employer to organise and fund not the under paid over worked employee!
Agreed!! As the new requirements are introduced, there should be clear indication from the government that the employer should pay for this training. However, we live in scant hope…
*Edited it due to tish spelling!
CM:
[
Did the guy work for the old GRS outfit on Harlaxton Rd, Grantham?
Not to my knowledge CM. We worked for a company called James Scott, a Glasgow outfit, who specialised in erecting electricity pylons. We were based at the stores yard which was in the grounds of Donnington Park before it was turned back into a racetrack. This was how I got to drive an E-type Jag round the old pre-war grand prix circuit. Very exhilerating, especially through the arched bridge in the trees where there was just room for 1 car. How did those old greats do it? Alot didn’t 
.
We would take steelwork, tools and even S-type Bedford 4x4s to the various sites round the country.
Can’t remember his name but he was short, round, dark, with long greasy black hair. This was in the 60s I suppose, he may have travelled on eastwards later, I’ve no idea.
Salut, David.
Its amazing how some people get their knickers in a twist over some new legislation that may or may not be forthcoming. I had a look at what Lucy had to say about it…and her explanations were very good (for a woman) 
Anyway i have seen many changes over the years and have had to accept them…we were told when the HGV licence first came in, that we would become professionals overnight… the wages would almost double…and (i like this bit)
the licence would last for life…without further fees…ha ha ha …
This new piece of legislation…we will have to pay for…make no mistake…and we will be the losers when we have to go for training…i did say we…but didnt mean myself…but us as a trucking industry…on hearing the news today…it seems that i will miss the increased age for working…and can in fact retire at 65. The future workforce wil have to work till they are 70.
So back to the original thread…and agreeing with Lucy…this industry has been crying out for proper training…and now its being proposed…and quite honestly i am all for it…getting an ology for driving a truck is a step in the right direction…It also proposes a reduction in the age at what a driver can actually drive. problem is getting the insurance companies to accept them…and the transport companies…same old syndrome i can see…no experience…no job…
For the experience that we all have, stands us in good stead at the moment, so there shouldnt be a fear about whether we can pass an exam or not…the fear will be the cost…but heres a scenario…supposing half of truckers that go for the test/exam…and fail…where do the new recruits come from…same old tired system…there will always be a shortage of drivers…and unless theres a very large increase in the wages being paid at the moment…and the attitudes of some of the transport companies…then what will be the incentive for new recruits…
truckyboy:
this industry has been crying out for proper training…and now its being proposed…and quite honestly i am all for it…getting anologyfor driving a truck is a step in the right direction
Ahmen to that!!
paul b:
but if i doctor isn’t available for the next round of training is he/she told she can’t practise anymore until they’ve completed that training, are they told they are not computent to do the job they’ve been doing for years because they’ve not done the latest tecnique training? of caorse not!
as i’ve said, i’m all for training/retraining but thats got to be down to the employer to organise and fund not the under paid over worked employee!
I totally agree with you Paul. To suggest that a truck driver, which is by all acounts a very hands on job can be put out of work because he fails a purely academic and totally un-needed course is ridiculous, to the same extant as the WTD farce with regards to un paid leave to account for an excess in the average 48hr week is.
No amount of paperwork with out names on it will make us any more or less professional, it won’t increase our wages and it won’t earn us any more respect from the public. They don’t care how educated we are, they only care about us being in their way and being intimidated by us because we drive big vehicles.
This is just a slippery slope towards drivers having to re-take their driving tests at regular intevals, something most on here would no doubt gladly support until it actually happens to them, and not to mention medicals every two years regardless of age, and while we’re at it, banning all drivers who need glasses or who are hard of hearing.
robinhood, although politicians don’t like us and will try and pass laws to appease anti truck lobby groups, anything they do that effects big business soon gets changed, hence the watered down WTD.
If the paperwork proves you have completed a certain level of training then it is worth something and this industry needs better training, if we are to reduce the amount of drivers who don’t reach even the basic requirements for being a professional trucks driver, but still hold a HGV licence.
muckles:
robinhood, although politicians don’t like us and will try and pass laws to appease anti truck lobby groups, anything they do that effects big business soon gets changed, hence the watered down WTD.
If the paperwork proves you have completed a certain level of training then it is worth something and this industry needs better training, if we are to reduce the amount of drivers who don’t reach even the basic requirements for being a professional trucks driver, but still hold a HGV licence.
I do see where you’re coming from Muckles and agree to an extent, espcially with training but I really don’t see any need for a 5yearly event that could effectivelly put you out of work if you don’t pass it. Not to mention the cost of such a thing, if its in Britain it’ll cost the earth, we can be sure of that and whilst a lot, or even most will have it paid for by their employer, what about those out of work at the time, or who’s agency wont stump up the cash, not to mention newstarters like myself. Had I being faced with even more of a cost, I may not have been got my Class C which almost bankrupted me as it was.
I’d fully support training with regards to tacho laws and other essentials but making it like an ADR cert that expires after X amount of years and puts your whole employment/future/life in jeopardy is absolutely insane. I only hope that it is watered down, or preferably replaced with something with a more common sense approach that is actually a benefit to the driver and not to his detriment which seems to be the norm now.
robinhood_1984:
which is by all acounts a very hands on job
In this day and age it is much more than just a hands-on job, as previously stated by others.
robinhood_1984:
can be put out of work because he fails a purely academic and totally un-needed course
But is it un-needed when recently we have seen/heard of examples of a professional driver who had to ask questions about the basic operation of the tacho mode switch??
robinhood_1984:
They don’t care how educated we are, they only care about us being in their way and being intimidated by us because we drive big vehicles.
Of course, as a professional trained driver, we wouldn’t/shouldn’t use the size of our vehicle to intimidate other road users. Sound familiar? You’ll have covered that during your training. 
robinhood_1984:
This is just a slippery slope towards drivers having to re-take their driving tests at regular intevals, something most on here would no doubt gladly support until it actually happens to them, and not to mention medicals every two years regardless of age, and while we’re at it, banning all drivers who need glasses or who are hard of hearing.
To be honest, i’m all for more training. There are quite few drivers etc who have been campaigning hard on our behalf, saying that we should get this. Ideally it would be paid for by the employers or government but if it came down to it, I would pay for it myself, and indeed have done in the past! I am lucky to have a job where continuation training and CDP (Continual Professional Development) is encouraged and supported and have had some excellent courses in the past and have another two outstanding courses lined-up for before the end of the year.
I’d say Rob K’s comment earlier in this thread is very valid.
Rob K:
I’m all for the traning, re-training and CPC too, but not particularly for my own benefit as I don’t think it will make any difference to my wage packet. However, it will get shut of a lot of dead wood off the roads, like Simon said, and probably prevent a lot of idiots getting behind a truck wheel altogether. This can only be a good thing.
I think i’ve made my views clear enough and so as not to drag this thread down, i’ll leave it there. The beauty of free speech means that there will always be a difference of opinion between us, but in truth, the decision won’t be made by us anyway.
Although both you and me paid for our own trianing, maybe the fact that you can get a HGV licence after a couple of weeks and a few thousand pounds is the problem. To get into other professions, even hairdressing 
normally requires a college course and then a period of on the job training. Of course the devil will be in the detail of any course we are required to take.
fred Kanka:
Coffeeholic:
People probably said the same thing about the introduction of driving licences, the log book, the tachograph etc. We will just adapt and carry on. I don’t see it as being a major problem.scroll down to read where i see the problem.
And i don’t believe that i that far from the reality
Yep, read your post Fred and I still don’t see it as a problem and in fact like others have posted I would welcome it.
I’ve just agreed with Rob again, it’s getting to be a habit. Question is which one of us is changing? No don’t answer that I don’t want to know. 
Coffeeholic:
fred Kanka:
Coffeeholic:
People probably said the same thing about the introduction of driving licences, the log book, the tachograph etc. We will just adapt and carry on. I don’t see it as being a major problem.scroll down to read where i see the problem.
And i don’t believe that i that far from the realityYep, read your post Fred and I still don’t see it as a problem and in fact like others have posted I would welcome it.
I’ve just agreed with Rob again, it’s getting to be a habit. Question is which one of us is changing? No don’t answer that I don’t want to know.
Get your own ideas 
.
robinhood_1984:
[but I really don’t see any need for a 5yearly event that could effectivelly put you out of work if you don’t pass it.
If the UK version is going to be anything like the French one, you would have to be extremely thick and incompetent to fail it and as such it would be a mercy to have such a person off the road.
I’m sure that’s not you mate so there’s really no need to worry and as far as the cost goes I’m sure that, as here, most bosses will pay.
Salut, David.
Spardo:
If the UK version is going to be anything like the French one, you would have to be extremely thick and incompetent to fail it and as such it would be a mercy to have such a person off the road.I’m sure that’s not you mate so there’s really no need to worry and as far as the cost goes I’m sure that, as here, most bosses will pay.
Salut, David.
I hope you’re right mate. I just worry that it won’t be like the French one and will have lots of totally irrelivent nonsense piled onto it, making the course a long drawn out affair which will ofcourse cost a lot. If companies pay it then fair enough, but it’ll be even more of a barrier for new starters who will have to pay for it themselves before they can even apply for a job.