The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) was introduced across the EU in 2007, requiring professional lorry and bus drivers to complete an initial qualification (comprising theory, case studies, practical driving, and safety demonstration) followed by 35 hours of periodic training every five years.

Recently, major reforms took effect on 3 December 2024. A new National Driver CPC was introduced for UK-only work, allowing training in shorter 3.5‑hour modules (instead of full 7‑hours).

Existing training remains as the International Driver CPC for drivers working in the UK and EU, maintaining the traditional 7‑hour minimum and e‑learning cap. 

A 7‑hour “return‑to‑driving” module pathway was also introduced from 1 February 2025, allowing drivers whose CPC has lapsed (between 60 days and two years) to restart professional driving before completing the remaining hours within 12 months.