Driver CPC Grandfather Rights Explained
If you’re a professional lorry, bus, or coach driver, you’re likely familiar with the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). However, if you’ve been in the industry for a while, you may have heard the term “grandfather rights” or “acquired rights.” This post will explain what these rights are, who qualifies, and what you need to do to stay compliant on the road.
Understanding your status is important for maintaining your professional driving qualification. For some drivers, these rights simplified the initial CPC process, but ongoing training requirements still apply to everyone. We will walk through the criteria for eligibility and outline the responsibilities that come with it.
What Are CPC Grandfather Rights?
Driver CPC grandfather rights, also known as acquired rights, refer to an arrangement that allowed experienced drivers to gain their initial Driver CPC qualification without having to take the initial tests. This exemption was created to recognise the skills and experience of drivers who were already professionally qualified before the CPC regulations were introduced on 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers, and 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers.
Instead of completing the full four parts of the initial qualification, eligible drivers could obtain their first Driver Qualification Card (DQC) by completing 35 hours of periodic training. This provision was designed to avoid forcing an entire generation of professional drivers to requalify through a new testing system.
How to Determine Your Eligibility
Your eligibility for grandfather rights depends entirely on when you obtained the vocational driving licence for the type of vehicle you drive. You have acquired rights if you got your vocational licence before the CPC implementation dates.
For bus and coach drivers (licence categories D, D1, D+E, D1+E), you are eligible if you obtained your licence before 10 September 2008. For lorry drivers (licence categories C, C1, C+E, C1+E), you qualify if you obtained your licence before 10 September 2009. If you passed your test after these dates, you do not have acquired rights and must pass the full initial CPC qualification.
To be certain of your status, you should check your driving licence and consult official sources like the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website.
Benefits and Limitations of Acquired Rights
The main advantage of having grandfather rights was bypassing the initial CPC tests (Modules 2 and 4), which saved both time and money. It provided a smoother transition into the new regulatory framework for established drivers.
However, these rights do not exempt you from all CPC requirements. The primary limitation is that you must still complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years to keep your qualification valid. Acquired rights only applied to the initial qualification process; ongoing compliance is mandatory for all professional drivers, regardless of how they first qualified.
Staying Compliant with Your Qualification
Even with grandfather rights, you must keep your Driver CPC valid. This involves completing 35 hours of approved periodic training before your Driver Qualification Card (DQC) expires. The training must be taken in blocks of at least seven hours at a time. It is your responsibility to manage your training schedule and complete the required hours within the five-year cycle.
Failing to complete your periodic training on time means you cannot legally drive professionally until you have fulfilled the requirement and received your new DQC. Staying up-to-date with your training ensures you remain compliant with the law and that your professional skills are current.
Your Next Steps
To summarise, grandfather rights allowed experienced drivers to bypass the initial CPC tests by completing 35 hours of periodic training. Eligibility is based on when you obtained your vocational licence. While these rights simplified the initial step, they do not remove the ongoing need for periodic training.
For official guidance and to check your training record, visit the DVSA website. It is the most reliable source of information for all matters related to your Driver CPC.