excellent website.
if you check with the local traffic area office i think you have about 6 months to replace a retiring cpc holder/transport manager.
i think all you have to do is inform them that your tm/cpc holder is retiring and that you intend to either replace him and need a little time to recruit the right person for the job or that you intend to sit the international cpc yourself.
like has already been posted, why not just ask your father to remain as a paid cpc holder for the international licence, as you have the national cpc you are quite capable of dealing with the general issues arising from running a transport company to conform with vosa standards.
Itsons european:
Due to ill health my father cant stay on plus he’s moving back to France.At the moment we have 3 lgv (but moving down to 2)and 4x 3.5t sprinter vans.Taco’s are checked by outside company,lorries are on r+m contract and am the accountant come driver
Pity I live in France too, or maybe I could have helped you out, my doc is ancient but still valid.
How did you go on?
I live in france also,but unlike spardo I do not live surrounded by a load of brit ex-pats,and can see the real France,that is why I would never say that coming to France to start up a business would be a runner when coming from the UK.
froggy:
I live in france also,but unlike spardo I do not live surrounded by a load of brit ex-pats,and can see the real France,that is why I would never say that coming to France to start up a business would be a runner when coming from the UK.
Obvious to see you don’t know my area Froggy, not many Britons round here mate, and I do know enough about France not to contemplate setting up in business here. Too much bureaucracy.
As to knowing the real France, I doubt you do, or you wouldn’t have so much contempt for your neighbours. 
I have a friend who does gardening work and grass cutting on a full time basis,he says that with all the social charges,taxes and insurance he has to pay he works 8 months for the French goverment and 4 months for himself. Last year he earnt 22000 euro and paid 13000 in charges. No way would I start a buisness here.
Dept 24 dodishire,that is the place where a load of brits got done for working on the back last year.
Spardo,why do you doubt I know the real France when you live in the area/dept where there are more brits than french,and as for my neighbours I love them to bits,I doubt you can even speak french good enough to talk to your neighbours and you are here living on your state pension.
Thing is you like me and kerbut know that statring up in france is a costly nightmare,and anyone thinking of doing so would be mad.
i hold an international cpc and live in sussex,i dont use it any more as i sold my truck and went back truck fitting(better money),if you still want a licence holder i might be able to come to some agreement with you provided you run legal and the equipment is properly maintained.