Driver CPC Module 4 is the practical test of the Initial Driver CPC qualification. Passing the Module 4 examination confirms you have the required knowledge and skills to carry out the duties of a professional LGV or PCV driver.

We have in, in other blog posts, looked at the possible questions and answers students may expect to be asked by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiner when taking the Module 4 test.

Most of the 5 or 6 questions (you will be asked) relate to legal obligations, whilst others are designed to ensure you have a thorough understanding of Health & Safety issues surrounding driving commercial vehicles.

For example a professional driver’s legal obligation would include pre-use checks that must be carried out on the vehicle before it is taken onto the public highway.

Another may be how to visually check the vehicle was not overloaded or (indeed) incorrectly loaded. Not carrying out correct pre-shift checks and or taking a vehicle on the public highway which may be incorrectly loaded or overloaded is an offence. As a result the driver and operator can be prosecuted.

One question that has not been covered in previous blog posts relates to vehicle safety and security. It is essential that a professional LGV or PCV driver knows (and can demonstrate) how to enter and exit a vehicle safety and what precautions they should undertake before moving off.

Did you know that most accidents associated with large good vehicles are drivers falling from vehicles? To help address and minimise the risk drivers must know (and be able to show) how to get in and out a vehicle correctly and what checks should be carried out before moving off from a stationary position.

A typical question (relating to vehicle safety and security) may be.
Please show me how you would enter and exit this vehicle safely and what precautions would you take before setting off.

A typical answer to this question would be (and remember you have to demonstrate your answers.)
I would enter the vehicle using 3 points of contact. Two points of contact (with hands) and one point of contact (with feet.) Hold (with hands) 2 fixed points, i.e. any suitable fixed point (hand rails if available, not steering wheel though as this moves.)

Put at least one foot (at all times) on the steps. Mount the vehicle facing the vehicle. Take your time getting into the vehicle as too much momentum can cause you to trip and have an accident.

Once you have entered the vehicle and are sitting in the cockpit (driver’s seat) you need to carry out the following 4 checks.
Ensure the mirrors are clean, clear and in the correct position.
Make sure the handbrake is applied.
Check the gears and make sure neutral is selected.
Adjust the driver’s seat and ensure the positioning is correct.

Once you have carried out the above operations you must then exit the vehicle safely. Before you exit you must check your mirrors and blind spots. This is to ensure your exit is clear and minimize any risks.

If, once having done your mirrors and blind spot checks, it is clear to exit then the three points of contact rule must be adhered to. It’s adopting the same system as when you entered the vehicle. Use the hand rails and steps (if fitted.) The only real difference is you are now dismounting.

Remember to keep facing the cab whilst exiting the vehicle. Once you have got out of the truck make sure you close the drivers’ door!

This post should now enable you to pass the vehicle safety and security element of the Driver CPC module 4 examination.
For more information on Initial Driver CPC module 4 examination please visit our Module 4 questions and answers main page.

We hope this information will prove to be of use. Good luck on your test!

Module 2 Case Study Training

The initial Driver CPC became a mandatory requirement for all new entrants who wish to gain categories D1, D1+E and D (10th September 2008) and categories C1, C1+E and C (10th September 2009.) Modules 2 and 4 of the Initial Driver CPC is a theory and practical test (respectively.) It was introduced to ensure new entrants have the required skills and knowledge to carry out the duties of a professional minibus, coach and LGV driver.

Module 2 CPC Training

This is a theory based examination that must be sat at a DSA approved theory testing centre. It’s a case study based examination that consists of 7 separate scenarios. The scenarios reflect situations a professional driver may encounter is his or her working day. Each scenario has between 7-8 questions. The questions are supported by multi choice answers. So candidates are required to read the case studies carefully, read the questions and select the answer/s which is most applicable.

In total 50 questions will be asked and the pass mark required is at least 40 correct answers. For some the Module 2 case study examination is pretty straight forward however for others it is quite a challenging examination. Those who seem to have most difficulty are those whose English is not their 1st language. The reason being you must be able to read and fully understand the scenarios before you can properly answer the questions.

Unlike the Multi Choice (Module 1A) and Hazard Perception (Module 1B) theory tests the DSA do not provide any real training material to prepare adequately for the module 2 (or Module 4) test. A book has been produced by the DSA which explains what Driver CPC is and what to expect in the exam however this does not provide any of the questions or answers that will be given in the examination.

Please note. The DSA (or any other organisation) will not publish (in advance) any of the questions and answers candidates will receive in the Module 2 test. So learning parrot fashion is not possible.

There are a number of training tools that will help students prepare better.
www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk network members EP Training Services has produced a Module 2 Case Study CD ROM that covers the full syllabus with sample case study questions at the end of each section.

They have produced a case study CD ROM for PCV drivers as well as a case study CD ROM for HGV drivers. The cost for the CD ROM is £39.99 and can be purchased from EP Trainings website.
Please click here to purchase the EP Training Module 2 theory training CDROM.

The other option students have is to practice and study online. www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk has teamed up with Theory4all to provide an online Module 2 case study learning tool.
To find out more Please click here to visit the online training simulator.

Please note. Not every new entrant will need the Initial Driver CPC qualification and may be exempt. Please visit our Driver CPC exemptions page for more information.

Module 4 Driver CPC
This is the practical element examination of the Initial Driver CPC qualification. www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk has written a comprehensive and thorough guide to the possible questions and answers students may be given.

To book and train adequately for the Module 4 examination we recommend you contact a local, professional HGV training company in your area. Please use our free search tool to see who is in your area.

Driver CPC Training statistics published online.

Driver CPC has been with us for over 3 years (bus and coach industry) and nearly 2 and ½ years (for LGV industry.) It’s the relatively new qualification for all professional drivers who operate within the commercial transport industry.


Driver CPC has 3 main objects.

improve overall road safety
underpin and expand on existing knowledge and skills
ensure all new entrants have the acquired skills and knowledge to carry out their duties as professional drivers

Driver CPC is an EU directive. (EU Directive 2003/59) and therefore applies to all EU member states. Each member state has its own take up on Driver CPC. In the UK there are 2 types of Driver CPC qualification (DCPCQ)

1, Initial Driver CPC:
all new entrants must pass Modules 2 and 4 examinations of initial Driver CPC qualification. This consists of a theory and practical test.

2, Periodic Driver CPC
(for existing drivers) 35 hours formal training must be carried out every 5 years (and every 5 thereafter.) No exam must be passed as attendance only is required.
No one knows exactly how many drivers will need to acquire the Driver CPC qualification. Best guessed estimates put it between 650,000 and 800,000 drivers.

The government has made a concerted effort to get Driver CPC training statistics published and made available online. It is important that industry knows what’s been done and what is left to do. Monthly statistics are available for all to view on the Department for Transport (DfT) website.

www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk has given some analysis to the published figures.

Total number of active drivers since 2008
For PCV and LGV a total of 444,106 drivers have completed at least completed 7 hours of Driver CPC training. It is hard to put an exact number on what hours each of the 444,106 drivers have completed individually. The number is relatively encouraging as it demonstrates the take up is fast approaching half a million drivers. However if going by worst estimates (800, 000 drivers must complete) that still leaves 350,000 who have not even started any training whatsoever.

Going by best estimates (650,000 drivers) need to complete 35 hours. That still leaves a shortfall of 200,000 drivers who have still not started any Driver CPC training. The larger transport companies appear to have taken Driver CPC onboard and are well under way in getting their drivers compliant before 2013 and 2014. However when you consider over 80% of transport companies employ 10 or less employees it would seem the smaller operator is either ignoring Driver CPC or is leaving it till the last minute.

Periodic Driver CPC hours completed
Since April 2011 to October 2011 (7 months) a total of 1,859,501 Periodic Driver CPC hours have been recorded. This brings the total number of periodic driver CPC hours completed since 2008 to just over 6 million.

Estimates suggest:
650,000 drivers completing 35 hours training (by 2013 / 2014) will mean 22,750,000 hours to be logged
800,000 drivers completing 35 hours training (by 2013 and 2014) will mean 28,000,000 hours to be logged.

6 million hours completed to date means (going by 650,000 drivers) nearly 27% of all hours have been uploaded.
6 million hours completed to date means (going by 800,000 drivers) nearly 22% of all hours have been uploaded.

Overall the figure is still relatively low and demonstrates industry needs to knuckle down and get on with driver CPC training and not (as some suspect) leave it to the last minute.

Number of approved centres
On 1st October a total of 1,161 companies were approved by JAUPT to deliver Periodic Driver CPC Training. Please note this figure does not include consortium members, which is estimated at approximately 500. Going by these figures the supply is certainly in place to deliver periodic training.

Auditing approved centres
Every JAUPT approved centre will be subject to at least one centre visit audit every 5 years. This is to ensure centres are meeting the standards required to deliver Driver CPC training. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now getting much more involved in training centres audits. By March 2012 it is anticipated 1,000 centre visit audits will have been carried out.

To date only one JAUPT approved centre has lost approval. United Road Transport Union (URTU) lost centre approval as a result of a DSA investigation. It is unsure as the whether URTU will be appealing against the decision.

Driver CPC approved courses
At last count, according the government statistics a total of 2,718 courses we live and approved. That’s a lot of courses! Courses are wide and varied so finding a course that meets your requirements and expectations should be relatively easy.

Drive CPC is an opportunity to professional an industry which has never had a requirement for formal ongoing training. If Driver CPC is going to work and benefit the commercial transport industry then it needs to be taken seriously. Just ticking the boxes at the cheapest price will not give the full return on your investment. Speak to your local training provider and get Driver CPC working for you.