First posting on here, so if this is in the wrong place, apologies.
Hi ROG, nice avatar
I passed my test in 96, haven’t driven a heavy since. Just reached that fine age where I have to renew my license. Thanks for the cheap medical links, by the way. My GP wanted £125
Things aren’t looking to good at work and redundancy could be looming. I’m also thinking of getting some part time work driving, if such a thing exists. My problem is DCPC. How does this work for someone in my position? Have I got to start taking courses now? Or can it wait until such time as I start driving? Does the five year limit start, for me, at inception date or again when I start driving LGV?
I’m in a similar situation as yourself. Passed class 2 in 99, did some driving and then took class 1 in 2003 and passed. Since then never got to drive, got stuck in office work. Redundancy is also looming for me so thinking about getting back into driving. Thanks to good folk on here I was able to put my worries about CPC to rest, well until 2014, by reading previous posts.
I am hoping my previous driving will count as experience? Will most likely take refresher course on class 1. quite looking forward to the change, but big big drop in salary for me, but office jobs at decent wage are scarce now. I think with driving if u strike lucky, work hard and show dedication you can earn 30k+.
Watching the Eddie stobart series on TV has really got me excited about getting back into driving!
Probably start with agencies, seems the simplest route. Can’t do anything until I’ve spoken with my current employer to find out if I can do other work.
Will definitely need a refresher though, learnt in a six speed cargo! Need to see if I can combine a refresher and some CPC training.
All the info above is correct but can I add that the cost of driver cpc will , without doubt, rise to normal economic rates over the next couple of years. So the sensible thing is to make a start on it sooner rather than later.
Can I also dispel the myth that the expiry date on the card is earlier if you complete the 35 hours earlier. Not so. I have a card in my pocket valid till Sept 2019 as have many other folk who have got on with it.
Those who choose to delay will end up paying more and having less choice of venue/date.
Peter Smythe:
Those who choose to delay will end up paying more and having less choice of venue/date.
Or get it for the cost of ‘a drink’ with no worries about venues or paying more. It’s readily available for next to nothing.
there’s certainly a lot of “deals” about at the moment
Indeed, and probably even more as the deadline looms. I don’t have to pay for mine as the company are organising and paying for ours but if I had to I know what I’d be doing.
