HGV Training Blog

We recently posted (on our website) about the collapse of 1st Class Trucking, based in Enfield.

An administrator has now been appointed to manage the liquidation and handle creditor enquiries.

Administrator contact details are.
Accura Partners LLP
Langley House
Park Road
London
N2 8EY

Tel number: 0208 444 2000
Person to contact: Simon Renshaw
Email address: 1stclasstrucking@accurapartnersllp.co.uk

Driving test candidates could benefit from a more local service as the Driving Standards Agency (D.S.A.) carries out a trial exploring a new approach to test delivery.

As well as using conventional driving test centres, DSA is looking at whether tests could also be delivered from other venues such as local authority buildings, hotels or leisure centres.

The trials will provide practical car tests in selected areas that no longer have a local test centre, but still have a significant demand for tests. The aim is to provide a service for the local community and ensure that candidates are able to take their test at convenient locations.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

“I want us to be more flexible and innovative in delivering driving tests to make sure that we are offering people the best service possible wherever they live.

“Our aim is to provide a more local service that is both convenient for candidates and cost effective.”

The trials are due to take place in seven locations across Britain: Ashford, Ayrshire, Dumbarton, Louth, Warrington, Wiltshire and one location in Wales that is still to be decided. The trials will be monitored to assess any impact on levels of customer service and the cost of delivery, as well as making sure the integrity of the test is maintained.

DSA will then decide whether the trials can be rolled out to other areas without a test centre where there is a significant demand, and where suitable routes and venues can be identified.

The trials will only involve practical car tests; theory test centres will not be affected.

via Plans to take driving tests closer to candidates. News – Department for Transport.

Logistics operators and hauliers may have to park-up vehicles if drivers leave the mandatory Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) training too late, the UK’s largest insurer Aviva has warned.

Steve Palmer, from Aviva said: “A lot of firms are underestimating the severity of the situation if they leave it too late. With around only 2,000 approved trainers, there is a real chance of a bottleneck as the deadline approaches. ”There are around 500,000 HGV driving licence holders in the UK and under new legislation each one will be required to do 35 hours of training by 2014.

However, Aviva’s accredited Driver CPC training provider, RAC Risk Management, reported that only 1% of those expected to take up courses have done so, sparking fresh fears over whether the freight industry will meet the 2014 deadline.

John Davidge, Training Manager at RAC Risk Management, said: “We’d expect to train in the region of 10% of our target by the end of the year and that this would steadily increase as we approach the deadline. Such a small number of companies are coming forward that this looks doubtful and it’s becoming increasingly likely that we’ll reach a bottleneck.”

With only a small proportion of drivers qualified, Aviva is urging hauliers to set up a training plan to avoid having to remove drivers from the road if the deadline isn’t met. Palmer said: “There has been alarmingly little take-up of Driver CPC courses despite wide promotion for more than a year. Operators know they have to do something, but for whatever reason – costs, recession or high staff turnover – there has been a reluctance to get the ball rolling.

“The benefits are considerable. By improving driving standards it will lead to better fuel economy, less wear and tear on vehicles – and fewer accidents. “There are no real signs that the government will extend the deadline and the worst-case, but very real, scenario is that companies will find that they have to park-up vehicles as they can’t get drivers trained in time.

“We urge hauliers to recognise the scale of the task ahead and to act now to avoid thousands of drivers requiring training in an impossible timeframe. A staggered approach is advisable – if you have 200 drivers doing 35 hours training each, it’s impossible to do it within a year.”

via Drivers urged not to put off CPC training – IFW – ifw-net.com.

If you are considering getting an operator CPC qualification then please read this post.
As a result of EC Regulation 1071/2009 after 4th December the operator CPC qualification is changing. After this date there will be only one commercial goods transport CPC qualification.

Currently (pre-4th December 2011) candidates have the choice between attaining the national CPC or national and international CPC. In future (post 4th Dec 2011) the national and international commercial goods transport CPC will be combined into one single award. The precise format of the combined CPC examination has still yet to be confirmed but is expected to incorporate some sort of case study and multi choice paper.

Those who only need to get the national CPC qualification still have time to sit the national exam only. There are 2 more exam dates before December 4th, September and December.

Important information.
According to OCR, the current body responsible for cpc exams, for one year only, after 4th December 2011 it will still be possible to sit the CPC international exam only.
This will apply to persons who acquired the national CPC qualification after 1st Jan 2000 but before 1st Jan 2011.
If you need Operator or Driver CPC training advice then please visit our free training provider search page. Our website promotes some of the best CPC training providers in the UK.

What is Operator CPC?
The CPC qualification is the nationally recognised transport manager qualification within the commercial transport industry
Commercial goods vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes are subject to the Operator licensing scheme. If the goods being carried are your own then a restricted operator (own account) licence will suffice.

If the goods being carried are other peoples (hire and reward) then a standard operator licence is required. Transport companies who hold a Standard Operator licence must appoint a competent person (CPC holder) to manage the day to day running of the commercial vehicles.

Having an operator CPC qualification confirms the holder has the relevant knowledge and skills to carry out his or her duties. Gaining a CPC means having to pass a number of examinations to demonstrate competence.

www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk can today confirm that 1st Class Trucking has ceased trading.

Reliable sources within industry understand the company stopped trading several weeks ago.

Visitors to 1st Class Trucking website are given the following notice.

“Company is in receivership, all clients and creditors shall receive information within 7 to 14 working days.”

It is hugely unfortunate that the fall of 1st Class Trucking will have a huge knock on effect for all those who have courses paid for and yet to be taken. Also for training companies who are owed course fees by 1st Class Trucking.

Those who purchased courses by credit card are advised to contact their respective credit card company and seek a refund.

1st Class Trucking was in most part a broker or middleman. Although they had a small number of vehicles (in one location), most of the HGV training booked was simply farmed out to other providers.

There are many websites around today that claim to be national HGV training providers yet the simple fact is there are no national HGV training companies. The overwhelming majority of the training delivered is by local independent providers.

www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk was created to tell you how it is and more importantly let you find a reputable training provider near to you.

We always recommend you should visit the training company before you part with any money.