whisperingsmith:
The Medical & the DCPC are the easy bits for fit retired drivers returning.
3 months or more to renew via DVLA is the killer. I’ve been thinking of getting off my retired arse and helping out but the DVLA is my sticking point.
I quite fancy doing Milk, farm collections or trunking or Fish from Newlyn to France/Spain
I’m the same. DCPC valid for another 3 years, but licence expired. It has to be renewed every year (over 65). Thought about going back part time but, if I applied to have it reinstated today, by the time I got it back I’d be a year older and have to do it again!
whisperingsmith:
The Medical & the DCPC are the easy bits for fit retired drivers returning.
3 months or more to renew via DVLA is the killer. I’ve been thinking of getting off my retired arse and helping out but the DVLA is my sticking point.
I quite fancy doing Milk, farm collections or trunking or Fish from Newlyn to France/Spain
I’m the same. DCPC valid for another 3 years, but licence expired. It has to be renewed every year (over 65). Thought about going back part time but, if I applied to have it reinstated today, by the time I got it back I’d be a year older and have to do it again!
I don’t think that’s true? Wouldn’t you be treated the same as first time provisional requiring a medical…I got mine in 2 weeks.
whisperingsmith:
I can’t tell if that’s a joke or not… It’s certainly exempt from ADR even though it’s a catastrophe to the flora and fauna when it spills.
No…I must have been reading the ADR requirements. Thanks.
I recently renewed my digi card but my enthusiasm stalled when I went to book the DCPC training I just couldn’t do it, I wanted to do the odd shift to help out and earn a few extra quid for a holiday next year. Why the government don’t issue a temporary exemption if you can pass a simple exam (25 questions or so) just to get bums back on seats.
Richard8:
I recently renewed my digi card but my enthusiasm stalled when I went to book the DCPC training I just couldn’t do it, I wanted to do the odd shift to help out and earn a few extra quid for a holiday next year. Why the government don’t issue a temporary exemption if you can pass a simple exam (25 questions or so) just to get bums back on seats.
Richard8:
I recently renewed my digi card but my enthusiasm stalled when I went to book the DCPC training I just couldn’t do it, I wanted to do the odd shift to help out and earn a few extra quid for a holiday next year. Why the government don’t issue a temporary exemption if you can pass a simple exam (25 questions or so) just to get bums back on seats.
Can you explain why?
Good question.
Isn’t the “bums on seats” attitude part of the current problem?
the nodding donkey:
Not much shellfish being trucked to Europe, after the clown chucked the UK fishing industry under the bus.
UK fishing industry as usual just means Brit resources for EU consumption.Boris didn’t change anything along with the rest of his BRINO deal.
So sell it here instead where is all the expected resulting increased seafood supply.Still can’t even find a fillet of Turbot anywhere and what Lobsters we’ve got are an overpriced too small joke.No doubt still all the best being sent to Euroland.
whisperingsmith:
The Medical & the DCPC are the easy bits for fit retired drivers returning.
3 months or more to renew via DVLA is the killer. I’ve been thinking of getting off my retired arse and helping out but the DVLA is my sticking point.
I quite fancy doing Milk, farm collections or trunking or Fish from Newlyn to France/Spain
I’m the same. DCPC valid for another 3 years, but licence expired. It has to be renewed every year (over 65). Thought about going back part time but, if I applied to have it reinstated today, by the time I got it back I’d be a year older and have to do it again!
I don’t think that’s true? Wouldn’t you be treated the same as first time provisional requiring a medical…I got mine in 2 weeks.
Not sure, was basing my assumption on what others have said. Might give it a go and see what happens.
Richard8:
I recently renewed my digi card but my enthusiasm stalled when I went to book the DCPC training I just couldn’t do it, I wanted to do the odd shift to help out and earn a few extra quid for a holiday next year. Why the government don’t issue a temporary exemption if you can pass a simple exam (25 questions or so) just to get bums back on seats.
Can you explain why?
Absolutely I will try at least, I started driving artics in 1996 and have 16 years experience but I left the industry to get away from the conditions but I liked the job itself, I grew up around trucks and there’s something about the smell of diesel that reminds me of my Dad and his old F86.
Anyway i passed my test pre DCPC as most people did and I learnt more from the drivers around me than I will in a class room
(Trevor Wilson, Elmer Fassler, Peter Snitch, Lofty Burrows, Dave Gosling,Phil Rawlings, Barry Cox and many more good lads)
I even went on to be a CPC trainer when on the job training counted towards your 35 hours, I have experience and so do many ex drivers but I must admit if the DCPC was in place when I started it would have made learning everything easier and more structured.
What I thought and I am probably simplifying things is you have three months grace to get your 35 hours done whilst working, or revert to the on the job training.
I can afford to pay for the online course but for other good drivers it will not always be the same, do we not need good people back in the industry.
Uncleskid:
What happens if you get caught driving without a DCPC has anyone been prosecuted and fined,banned
Interesting. There are of course consequences laid down in law re commercially driving without a valid DCPC and im sure that there have been prosecutions but I personally don’t know of any, neither have I ever been asked to produce my card.
To answer the question of why so many HGV licences and so few (relatively) DCPC holders you’ve only got to look at ex armed forces; they gave away entitlements for fun and huge numbers of ex squaddies never set foot in a lorry again, and have no intention of doing so in the future as they’re gainfully employed in other fields.
Uncleskid:
What happens if you get caught driving without a DCPC has anyone been prosecuted and fined,banned
Interesting. There are of course consequences laid down in law re commercially driving without a valid DCPC and im sure that there have been prosecutions but I personally don’t know of any, neither have I ever been asked to produce my card.
To answer the question of why so many HGV licences and so few (relatively) DCPC holders you’ve only got to look at ex armed forces; they gave away entitlements for fun and huge numbers of ex squaddies never set foot in a lorry again, and have no intention of doing so in the future as they’re gainfully employed in other fields.
That’s what I was thinking if someone wants to come out of retirement to do a bit of agency work why bother with a DCPC
Uncleskid:
That’s what I was thinking if someone wants to come out of retirement to do a bit of agency work why bother with a DCPC
Whilst I can’t condone that sort of reckless and irresponsible behaviour (who am I kidding? Of course I do you aren’t suddenly a menace on the road because you don’t hold a piece of plastic!) you’ll need to check your customer base first. A faceless logistics Co will want to check everything first because they’ll invariably employ a “compliance “ officer who get’s to justify his/her wages doing this shizzle, a small Co on the other hand would be more likely to turn a blind eye purely in order to get stuff delivered. Your call my friend.
Richard8:
I recently renewed my digi card but my enthusiasm stalled when I went to book the DCPC training I just couldn’t do it, I wanted to do the odd shift to help out and earn a few extra quid for a holiday next year. Why the government don’t issue a temporary exemption if you can pass a simple exam (25 questions or so) just to get bums back on seats.
Can you explain why?
Absolutely I will try at least, I started driving artics in 1996 and have 16 years experience but I left the industry to get away from the conditions but I liked the job itself, I grew up around trucks and there’s something about the smell of diesel that reminds me of my Dad and his old F86.
Anyway i passed my test pre DCPC as most people did and I learnt more from the drivers around me than I will in a class room
(Trevor Wilson, Elmer Fassler, Peter Snitch, Lofty Burrows, Dave Gosling,Phil Rawlings, Barry Cox and many more good lads)
I even went on to be a CPC trainer when on the job training counted towards your 35 hours, I have experience and so do many ex drivers but I must admit if the DCPC was in place when I started it would have made learning everything easier and more structured.
What I thought and I am probably simplifying things is you have three months grace to get your 35 hours done whilst working, or revert to the on the job training.
I can afford to pay for the online course but for other good drivers it will not always be the same, do we not need good people back in the industry.
Apologies, I was not prying into your personal situation.
I thought the statement “…when I went to book the DCPC training I just couldn’t do it,…” was suggesting there was a problem with getting onto a DCPC course; hence my enquiry.
We certainly do need the ‘old hands’ back with their experience right now.
Like you, I looked to the experienced drivers for my true training after getting my Class 1 (at age 21).
It was very easy to ask for help whilst still being & looking young & it was always given gladly.
I think the DCPC has a place, but not right now for the experienced drivers that THEY need to get back into the seats.
I’m free & ready to drive with all licences but I won’t do it until the industry shows some real commitment to change; not just a few well paying jobs.
The reductions in safety they have implemented in lieu of a DCPC ‘amnesty’ shows me nothing has changed so far.
Richard8:
Why the government don’t issue a temporary exemption
The same for tacho card and medical.A domestic regs log book will do and has cat B so obviously not an immediate and obvious medical danger on the road.Attached to the emergency LGV categories clearance note based on proof of the lapsed categories.Which they’ve obviously got to have sent the letter out.It’s that simple.
All moot against adverts calling for recent checkable LGV driving employment record etc etc.
bigmac7288:
I used to post on this site but due to personal circumstances I had to leave driving 4 years ago to become a unpaid carer. I would be willing to do some shifts driving on class 1 but after speaking to universal credit there is no funding to get my DCPC back into date.
Looks to me there’s no shortage or they would pay for at least DCPC for a unpaid carer has anybody else had this problem cause.
You could get an ILA account which gives you £200 per year. That’s how you can fund most of it (ie 3/5) and online £70 the rest.
Of course you could do it in three bits (for free over 3 years), but by that time you’ll be 86 so probably a tad too old.
