Drivers CPC - Do I need it?

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by NTECUK

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".

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by Seggons

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.

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.

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.

A quick trip to the website (https://www.gov.uk/driver-certificat...eed-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.