26 | Aycliffe Today Business
Driver Hire CPT trainer Lee Wilmot (left) and business
development assistant Joe Carpenter (right) with Ian
Woodall, a driver for LF Logistics who has completed
his training.
FIRM WARNS
OF DRIVER
TRAINING
‘BOTTLE NECK’
A County Durham company
that hires and trains lorry
drivers is warning the industry
faces its own bottle neck of
untrained motorists this year.
Driver Hire Darlington, a franchise of the
national firm, say the transport and logistics
sectors are approaching a critical period,
as thousands of drivers – hundreds in the
North-East – still haven’t taken crucial new
tests which will prohibit them from being on
the road.
New Certificate of Professional Competence
(CPC) legislation was implemented in
September 2009 across Europe and the UK.
The new rules means drivers of lorries
more than three-and-a-half tonnes in weight
have to sit 35 hours of classroom study,
covering various aspects of their working
Consequences for companies and drivers
caught operating after the deadline without
their DCPC in place will see fines of £1,000
and licences suspended.
“There are a lot of heads in the sand,
drivers thinking it won’t come into force
and companies not getting round to it, but
September is the cut-off point and it is going
to happen.
Driver Hire Darlington has been fast-tracking
drivers through the courses, getting on
average 150 through it every month over
the last few months, but reckon the industry
will still see a bottle neck of drivers queuing
up to get it done before the September
deadline.
“Drivers found driving lorries over three-anda-half tonnes without the CPC licence face
points and severe fines.
“There are concerns this will result in a
chronic shortage of able drivers and, as
always, when there are supply-and-demand
issues, prices may increase dramatically.
”
Driver Hire CPT trainer Lee Wilmot said:
“We’re already experiencing an increasing
number of drivers coming through the
door to get the CPC under their belts, but
September is the cut-off point and we
estimate that there are thousands of drivers
yet to take the training in the UK, and
hundreds in the North-East alone.
Driver Hire Darlington is currently training
drivers from a number of nearby transport
companies as well as independent
operators, with their fast-track course
costing £300.
environment, by September this year.
Any firms or individuals wanting
to know more can call Lee Wilmot
on 01325 314887, or email
[email protected]