Drivers CPC - Do I need it?

[Seggons]

My company has paid for me to go through my class C HGV training. The reason being they had ordered a good deal of cherry pickers but someone forgot to check the weight of them, 4.5 ton. Hence the course. I've done the theory, hazard perception and passed my practical test today.

My line manager and his boss was expecting me to pass it so I can drive the 4.5 ton cherry picker next week. But talking to the bloke who was teaching me he said that I wouldn't be able to drive it until I've passed my initial drivers CPC.

I've had a quick look through the CPC stuff and it's unbelievably confusing. But I want to do my homework because ultimately it's me that'll get the punishment if I get it wrong. The company have said I don't need a digital tacho card despite it having a digital tacho fitted because it's classed as an "occasional use vehicle".

So anyone know what I need or if a class C entitlement is sufficient enough? Thanks. :D

[FG1]

If it's got a digi tacho fitted and you have a card make sure you put your card in. Get a printout at the end of your driving day and keep a copy. I am not 100% up on the regs but as long as you keep a record then vosa will play ball with you. What the company polcy is is up to them but look after number 1.
My company has me filling out a manual tacho every day, even though I work at a desk.
Make sure you ask your company to downliad your card details regularly.
As far as I know you have until 2014 to get your cpc, again, I'm not too sure as the dates differ for lgv and coaches I think.
The bottom line is make sure you stay within the hours, and keep proof and you should be ok.

[Seggons]

I don't have a digital tacho card and won't be getting one as it's registered as an occasional use vehicle which apparently makes the tacho side exempt. My main concern is this CPC. Everything I'm reading indicates that I do need it to drive anything over 3.5ton in employment but my company is saying I don't.

[NTECUK]

You Could have a it limited to a top speed of 28mph!

[Sid Squid]

As I understand it your firm is right - if driving the vehicle is not your principle activity, then you do not need CPC.
I take this to mean that if you're employed as driver, you need CPC, if you're otherwise employed - as a mechanic for instance - and driving is something you will occasionally do but isn't your actual job, you don't need CPC.

[Seggons]

You Could have a it limited to a top speed of 28mph!

Don't say that, someone might actually take on the idea to "make Great Britons roads safer".

As I understand it your firm is right - if driving the vehicle is not your principle activity, then you do not need CPC.
I take this to mean that if you're employed as driver, you need CPC, if you're otherwise employed - as a mechanic for instance - and driving is something you will occasionally do but isn't your actual job, you don't need CPC.

Ah that makes allot of sense. Thanks for that post Sid.

[Spank86]

Ah that makes allot of sense. Thanks for that post Sid.
of course it might depend how much you're actually going to be driving them.

[Seggons]

It varies. Sometimes it's just once a week but coming up it could be 6 out of 10 days. It's not being driven all the time though. Just get to site, setup, do the work, pack down, drive to next site and repeat for the whole day.

[Spank86]

I'm not sure that would count myself (I mean even my van isn't driven ALL the time, it's definitely not "occasional use" though). At least I wouldn't bank on it.

You could try contacting VOSA.

[EssexDave]

A quick trip to the website (https://www.gov.uk/driver-certificate-of-professional-competence-cpc/when-you-dont-need-driver-cpc)

Vehicle uses where you don’t need Driver CPC
You don’t need Driver CPC if the vehicle you drive is:

used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use
used to carry material or equipment you use for your job - but driving the vehicle can’t be the main part of your job
used for driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC
used by, or is under the control of, the armed forces, civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintaining public order
used in states of emergency or for rescue missions

Without knowing exactly what it is you do, I don't know whether the bit I've put in bold counts, but certainly sounds like it could be the ticket.

[FG1]

I would imagine yo do need a CPC.
If you used a 7 tonner to get your work kit to a place of work then say, did indoor decorating, for the day then it's used to transport your work equipment.
If you are getting paid to drive the cherry picker then you are using it for work purpose.
We had a bit of confusion where I work years ago.
I am a civvy on an RAF camp and work in the transport department. As the lorries and coaches etc are military vehicles we didn't use tachos etc. Vosa cleared things up for us. As we are civilian contractors, just utilising the military vehicles, we are still being paid to drive the vehicles (hire or reward) and as such fall into the tacho rules and regs.
Personally I would email dvla or Vosa so you get it from the horses mouth.

[Seggons]

Well here's said cherry picker.

http://postimg.org/image/bt542qg0n/http://s23.postimg.org/pmtgrs8m3/2013_07_03_06_22_16.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

It's used to get to hard to reach billboards. It doesn't carry anything as we have a van that has all the materials and tools we need. I'll send an email to VOSA to see what they come back with.

[Ch00]

On a average day how long driving vs how long using the picker?

Also if it only weights 4.5 tonnes you only need C1.

[Seggons]

On a average day how long driving vs how long using the picker?

Roughly 50/50. Maybe a fraction more time driving.

Also if it only weights 4.5 tonnes you only need C1.

Right from the start I knew that but I wasn't going to argue to get put on a lower course. :lol:

[Dicky Ticker]

What is the plated weight of the truck, not the actual weight. It might only weigh 4.5t but is it built on a 7.5t design weight chassis.

I do not drive for a living any more and when I do I do not get paid for it but I still need a CPC and digi-card for the odd occasions I do drive

I do exceed the 50km limit and sometimes it is over 7.5t

It seems you are caught in a very grey area as I doubt if you are going off the public highway and possibly using the vehicle power unit to drive the hydraulic rams if it is PTO operated
unless it is battery power operated. Your working day involves driving and being in charge of the vehicle through out the duration of your day,most likely on the public highway.
Obviously your job classification has a lot to do with the outcome----- but the point I am trying to make is you are in charge of the vehicle on the highway for the duration of your shift

In your situation I would ask for clarification in writing from the DVLA/VOSA just to confirm what your employer has told you, both on your required license entitlement and tachograph

[Ch00]

Right from the start I knew that but I wasn't going to argue to get put on a lower course. :lol:

Been there too :D

Sounds like CPC could been needed.

Example I was told was If a scaffolder only drives the wagon to and from a job then "scaffords" all day then drives the wagon back thats fine.

If a scafforder drives the wagon to different jobs and just loads and off loads he needs the CPC.

We have not had any official guidance in the Police yet how to deal with the CPC issues so I hope you will post the DVLA/Vosa updates.

[Seggons]

No idea about the plated weight. Anything inside of the cab has been out of bounds until now. I'll have a closer look next time I'm with it.
Your right about it having a PTO and the engine is constantly running. I have sent an email to VOSA but I assume they are only answered during working days.

I think I'm going to have to drive it this week and have faith that my company is right while I do my own little bit of digging.

[Seggons]

We have not had any official guidance in the Police yet how to deal with the CPC issues so I hope you will post the DVLA/Vosa updates.

I naturally assumed the CPC "law" would fall in the hands of the highways agency traffic officers and VOSA patrols? I would've thought the Police had enough legislation to deal with.

[Ch00]

Highways agency traffic officers do not enforce. They are a welfare group. Protect broken downs and help to keep the major roads open and flowing.

Enforcement will be down to VOSA and the police to deal with. We deal with the same stuff as VOSA but enforcement schemes are a little different. Sometimes it pays to be stopped by one not the other !!!

Next time I see them I will ask.

[tj2]

VOSA stop and faults/errors/infringments can get expensive as VOSA are now self funding.
It is not just the company that gets a large fine..............