Professional Driver of Large Vehicles (HGV/PSV)
- Regulators
-
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
- Nations
-
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Sectors
-
- Transport
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
- Address
-
1 Unity Square
Nottingham
NG2 1AW - Email address
- policy@dvsa.gov.uk
- Website
- https://www.dvsa.gov.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)115 8523300
Regulation
Regulation summary
Professional drivers of goods and passenger transport vehicles (i.e. lorries of all sizes, buses, coaches and minibuses) are required to hold a professional qualification – the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) in addition to a vocational driving licence. The qualification is obtained by undergoing an initial qualification and maintained by 5-yearly periodic training of 35 hours. The qualification is evidenced by a Driver Qualification Card (DQC).
Regulation type
Reserved activities
Professional drivers of large vehicles for commercial purposes
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
Getting qualified
To become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver you need to:
- have a full car licence
- be over 18 - but there are some exceptions
- hold a valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)There are 5 tests that make up the full Driver CPC. You might not need to take all 5 tests, for example if you previously qualified as an HGV driver and you want to retrain.
- More about qualification
- https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
- Summary of routes
-
We currently recognise the Driver CPC qualifications for all EU drivers.
Agreements are in place to recognise professional DCPC qualifications for drivers of Goods and Passenger Transport vehicles from Switzerland
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Retained EU Law - The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/605/contents/made