Where To Find CPC Training?

The Drivers CPC, also called the "Driver Certificate of Professional Competence" has been introduced to the United Kingdom through the directive, 2009/59. All HGV coach and bus drivers must have this qualification to drive professionally. The Drivers CPC aims to improve road safety, expand on current drivers' knowledge and expertise, and make sure new drivers have the proper knowledge and expertise. One of the CPC training courses is the Drivers CPC initial training course. This is specifically for new entrants who must have LGV Cat C1 or C and want to be a professional driver. This course seeks to verify that one has the proper skills to be a professional HGV driver. The initial course is broken down into four modules that must be completed. The first module is simply a theory test in which you must get at least 85 of the 100 questions correct and an additional Hazard Perception theory test in which you must get 67 of the 100 questions right.

The second module is a theory case study exam which is based upon case studies and scenarios. Module number three is the LGV practical driving test in which you must drive on different roads in all sorts of conditions to see how you adapt to different situations. This test lasts for an hour and a half. Module four is a practical associated knowledge exam designed to test your ability ensure vehicle and load safety. After completing these four modules, you will be given a Driver CPC qualification card. You will be ready to begin professional driving and must take a periodic course every five years afterwards. Searching for cpc training courses online is probably the best route to go. I don't believe that there is any on-site course you can take that can compete with the flexibility and convenience provide by an online course.

Carl Liver

Are you interested in cpc training? then make sure you visit Cambrian Training Services today

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5530641

Bus Driving - Laughs and Barfs

Catching a bus can be a barrel of fun if you have an infinite sense of humor.

"Driver, do you stop at the railway station?"
"No Madam. A train does that. This is a bus. It stops at bus stops."

Bleary eyed, first thing in the morning, with nothing more than a shaky idea which number bus goes where or stops at which bus stops, or even what the fares are, let alone any knowledge of timetables, you pluck up your courage and tackle the task, praying for a miraculous absence of breakdowns and traffic jams. That's not the passengers. That's the driver!

According to passengers, no bus driver can ever say good-bye to their father. They were all born out of wedlock. According to other motorists, even that was to a bitch.

It's not all the driver's fault. Let's consider that most necessary and frequently truant behavior, hailing the bus.

There are many people who will only ever hail a driver with insults as the bus flies past them without stopping. Bus drivers are best recruited from the ranks of experienced auctioneers. Drawing on years of practice, those individuals might recognise from 200 meters away a slight raising of the eyebrows or a subtle rubbing of the chin indicating that the virtual statue standing somewhere near a bus stop actually wants the bus to stop for them. Some aspiring passengers are so inanimate you would think that a hearse would be a more appropriate mode of transport for them.

They look far more animated in the rear-view mirror.

Then, there is the opposite extreme. Arms flailing wildly, he or she runs onto the road in front of the bus in what is easily mistaken for a suicide attempt. The horrified driver brakes sharply, hoping neither to spill his existing passengers onto the floor, nor to run over the frantic mendicant. He stops alongside them and opens the door. The kind, wonderful, considerate angel just stands there and looks up at him for a moment, stares at him blankly, then peers back along the road for the next bus. Nothing resembling an apology is forthcoming. "Sorry, wrong bus" would be far too much trouble.

The driver heaves a sigh. On with the job.

"Hey buddy! Does this bus go along the South West Highway?"
"Of course it does, sir. The big, luminous yellow sign on the front saying "North Eastern Interchange" is only to let you know which direction its bum will be pointing in at the time!"

"Driver, does this bus go to Brighton?"
"It certainly does, Madam, but not when it's on this particular route. It will probably go there sometime next week."

"Driver, do you go to town?"
"Only at people who annoy me, Madam."

"Driver, if I ring the bell are you able to let off along here?"
"Madam, with bowels like mine, I can let off anywhere, anytime. Forget the bell, just pull my finger."

Here is an unquestionable fact. Whenever anyone befouls the atmosphere on a bus with intestinal gas, everyone looks accusingly at the driver.

"Hey, Driver, did you win your license in a raffle?"
"Certainly not, Sir! My ticket didn't win so I just scribbled Drivers License on it and I use that instead."

"Driver, the last bus along here didn't come!"
"Really? How can it have been the last bus along here if it didn't come?"

"Driver, this service is a load of garbage! I've been waiting here for two hours!"
The refuse truck operator looks curiously at the squinting, elderly lady standing next to a wheelie-bin nearby a bus stop and wonders how she could possibly read the time on her watch.

"Hey driver? Isn't this bus supposed to be an express?"
"It definitely is, and you can rest assured that I'm driving express between stops."

"Driver, why have we stopped?" "Overheating, Madam" "How long will it take to cool down?" "Roughly one cigarette."

"Hey, pig-head! This time would you mind waiting until I sit down if you're going to tear off like you usually do."
"I think you're lying."
"I am not!"
"You soon will be if you call me 'pig-head' again."

"Driver, do you go to the swimming centre?"
"I would, but I live on the other side of town."

"Driver, I've got no money. Can I get a free ride today?"
"You can have a free ride every day."
"Yeah? How?"
"You can take over my job. I'm quitting."

Gareth Eastwood is the owner of http://www.mindesque.com where he showcases articles he has written under several names. He is an enthusiastic Rock 'n' Roll Dancer and teacher in Adelaide, South Australia. His dance website is http://www.rocknrolldance.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/510268

What Is CPC Driver Training and Why It Is Needed?

Commercial driving is a lucrative business that will grow with time. There are numerous openings available for commercial drivers as commercial driving companies today provide services to various business sectors. Usually such people are called truck drivers. Tesco, Asda, fast food chains, construction companies all use the services of truck drivers for transporting products required for their businesses.

CPC driver training is a programme specifically designed for the professional drivers in the United Kingdom. It helps in improving the lorry and bus driver's skills and knowledge throughout their driving career.

A person has to fulfill some requirements and gain some credentials for becoming a commercial driver. They are also known as professional drivers as they are expected to maintain higher road standards. The majority of UK companies need a good driving record and a commercial driver's license (CDL) before they give a professional driver's job to you. Drivers interested in driving in EU countries must undertake requisite training to secure a CPC certificate. All UK drivers who want to drive coaches, professional buses or Lorries should take this training.

This CPC driver training became mandatory for the PCV drivers from 10th Sep, 2008 and for the LGV drivers from 10th Sep, 2009. All people undergoing PCV or LGV training should also have both CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) and license, before they can apply for their job.

The detailed qualification schedule for this program has been split into 4 different parts:

1. Theory based test. This is basically a multiple choice type test covering the hazard education. 2. This consists of case studies and provides basic knowledge about the training. 3. Acquisition of license -the ability of drivers is tested regarding operation of vehicle. 4. The practical test for drivers - vehicle safety and its demonstration. Drivers have to complete thirty five hours of training every 5 years for keeping their certification.

There are different kinds of programs for various types of businesses. For example, LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) training primarily focuses on some goods like wood, food coal, etc. The training here is quite similar to the training mentioned above. The requirements are same as for the driver CPC training.

The only difference is in the price of the programmes that are being offered in UK. Currently there is huge paucity of LGV drivers in UK and anybody who can deal with UK terrain and weather can pass these tests and programs with ease. The detailed study guides are being offered by the companies and several companies even sell them online.

Carl Liver

For drivers cpc and cpc driver training visit Cambrian training

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6080370

Becoming a Driving Instructor - What's in a Day's Work?

As might be expected, a driving instructor's day centers on teaching pupils how to drive safely, and develop the skills necessary to pass their driving test.

The Driving Instructor starts by assessing the learner's driving knowledge and skills, then planning lessons based on this assessment, focused on getting to the point where the pupil can take their driving test.

Most lessons follow a similar pattern, with the instructor teaching pupils:

* How to use vehicle controls with confidence
* The correct approach to road safety
* How to safely man oeuvre, turn, reverse and park
* Driving law and the Highway Code
* How to deal with emergency situations
* How to undertake basic vehicle checks.

Most instructor vehicles have dual controls so that the Driving Instructor can make any necessary adjustments to the learner's driving technique. As the pupil becomes more competent, they are introduced to more challenging driving situations.

Once the instructor believes a pupil has reached the necessary standard, they would recommend that the pupil apply for a driving test date. Any lessons beyond this are likely to cover theory and law in more depth.

Additional lessons might be given after a pupil has passed their test - such as in night driving or motorway driving.

Career progression - become a specialist driving instructor

Specialist instructors usually have further professional qualifications. Some employers in road haulage and bus and coach services train their experienced drivers to become instructors within the company or at a specialist training school.

A voluntary DSA register for LGV instructors has been introduced, and there is a similar register within the Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) industry.

An alternative career path is to become a certified motorcycle instructor.

There are also various continuing professional development (CPD) schemes on offer from the Driving Instructors' Association (DIA) and Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

Author - BB Wilson. Find out more about becoming a driving instructor [http://www.idlovea.com/new-job/becoming-a-driving-instructor.aspx].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2274667

Will UK Bus Services Grind To A Halt in 2013?

If you are not involved in the UK bus or coach service industry, you're probably not aware of the new driver CPC rules. CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence. Under a European Directive, bus and coach drivers who drive for a living will need to gain this qualification by September 2013. To get this qualification, drivers will need to attend 35 hours of approved training and have the training registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The 35 hours consists of five individual seven hour courses delivered by an approved training centre.

Three years after the clock starting ticking, we are still talking to private coach companies who simply do not understand the driver CPC rules. Many have not even started thinking about how they are going to get their drivers trained and qualified in time for the September 2013 deadline. Some company owners are keen on the school of thought that "if none of us do this, they'll have to extend the deadline". This is probably wishful thinking as the new rules are a European Directive now enshrined in UK Law.

Another reason for the lack of training is the current economic climate. With margins squeezed and costs rising, the training budget is usually the first to go. Normal training programmes can always be delayed with few obvious immediate consequences. Many companies are even more reluctant to invest in driver CPC training. They fear their drivers may leave the company taking their CPC accreditation with them. New recruits may not have attended any CPC training courses. The company then faces the prospect of having to pay for their five courses in the remaining two years before the deadline.

No one is certain what will happen in the summer of 2013 as the September 10th deadline approaches. Drivers who have completed their 35 hours training will have their Driver Qualification Card (DQC) issued by the DSA. This is similar to the photo card driving licence and will need to be carried at all times. Drivers with a DQC could be poached by companies who have not made the investment in training their drivers.

This fear has caused one of our clients to postpone all training until the summer of 2013. His thinking is that if he can leave it until the last minute, there will be limited opportunities for his drivers to switch jobs to the highest bidder. His strategy may well succeed. We are contracted to ensure that we have training capacity available to get his drivers through five courses in a short period of time. But for other companies who may well have a similar plan, there is a real danger that there simply will not be enough approved trainers to cope with the last minute demand.

Another recent development is that drivers applying for jobs with the major bus companies are being told that they need at least 14 hours accredited training before they will be considered for a job. The reason for this appears to be that the company is three years into its training programme. They have no intention of starting again with new recruits who have had sufficient time to at least start getting some training done on their own account. After all it is the driver's responsibility to get the training done,not the employer's.

So will buses stop running in September 2013?

Probably not. The major bus companies are already well along the path to ensure that the majority of their drivers are qualified in time.

But for many coach and bus operators who are taking the risk that training places will be available in 2013, the clock is ticking.

Paul Beresford is Sales & Marketing Director for Defensive Driver Training Limited http://www.drivercpcgroup.com who specialise in corporate driver training programmes for company vehicle drivers. Over 150,000 drivers have attended defensive driving courses from more than 1500 organisations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6581525