ckm1981:
I didn’t think you could drive an HGV for hire or reward whilst learning?!
You might have a good point nowadays
Before the driver cpc came in many did this quite legally
Now that commercial LGV driving requires the driver to have a current valid DQC I cannot see how a newbie can do it legally
Mods 2 and 4 can be passed before mods 1 and 3 but the DQC would not be activated and sent until all 4 mods are passed
I have called Cath at DVSA legal standards dept at Nottingham and she is going to Email me with a copy of the reply she send to another who had the very same query
When I receive that email either later today or tomorrow morning I will C&P it on here - I have her permission to do so
There would not be a problem with a pre 1997 LGV C1 doing C or a C doing C+E where they were commercially driving under L plates for a company with a LGV driver next to them as supervisor (subject to the usual supervisor rules) because they can get a DQC before doing so
Got the Email …
Pearson, Kathleen Kathleen.Pearson@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
Dear Roger,
Thanks for your call.
The Driver CPC rules are intended to apply to drivers engaged in road transport on roads open to the public. Regulations do not prevent learner lorry drivers driving a laden vehicle, providing they are supervised by a qualified driver. Similarly, there is an exemption in the driver CPC regulations for drivers preparing for a driving licence acquisition test or Driver CPC test. But, I don’t think it was envisaged that learner drivers would be engaged in the commercial delivery of goods — something that is clearly intended to be covered by DCPC - during their initial licence acquisition training. It is therefore questionable as to whether the exemption for the learner driver should apply. It is possible for trainee drivers to take modules 2 and 4 (the DCPC Initial Qualification modules of the overall test) before they take modules 1 and 3 (the licence acquisition modules). They will, of course, need to complete all four modules if they are to be employed with a company.
Ultimately, it is down to a court to make a decision on how the rules about Driver CPC are interpreted.
Companies may wish to take a view in terms of their corporate responsibility and insurance liability in how much is required of unqualified drivers.
Regards
Kath Pearson | Policy Advisor
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency | the Axis Building, 112 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LP
Phone: 0115 936 6094
I HAVE STARTED A NEW THREAD ON THIS ISSUE CALLED - COMMERCIAL LEARNER DRIVING - so as not to derail this one too much
