Professional Driver of Large Vehicles (HGV/PSV)
- Regulators
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- Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland
- Nations
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- Northern Ireland
- Sectors
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- Transport
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland
- Address
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County Hall
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3HS - Phone number
- +44 (0)300 200 7861
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
- http://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- None - all professionals must re-qualify
- Summary of routes
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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
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Retained EU Law - The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007.
- Website link to legislation
- http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/605/contents/made