Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
33. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to carry out a review of the current Certificate of Professional Competence for HGV drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15256/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) process is based on EU Directive 2022/2561, on the initial qualifications and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. This Directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (SI 359 of 2008), as amended.
To drive a truck or bus professionally throughout the EU, drivers must have a valid driver CPC qualification, which involves four exams (the theory test, case study, driving test and walkaround). This qualification is maintained by completing CPC periodic training of 35 hours in each five-year training cycle. Each module consists of 7 hours periodic training and drivers are required to do 7 hours of periodic training every year, adding up to 35 hours (five modules) over the five years. If the driver has both a bus and a truck CPC, they must complete 42 hours of training over each five year period.
CPC modules are reviewed on a continuous basis. Following from the Road Safety Authority CPC survey, some drivers expressed an interest in online training. However, the EU Directive makes provision for only a small portion of the training syllabus to be conducted online. This means that a driver could only do part of a module online and it would have to be completed in a classroom environment. Accordingly, the RSA has decided not to pursue this option at the current time.
The RSA is responsible for selecting the relevant content in each module, based on the objectives in the Directive. When each module is being reviewed, the RSA works with CPC trainers and a panel of subject matter experts from the industry to ensure relevant input into module content material.
The RSA has completed a review of Module 1: Control of the Vehicle and Eco Driving Techniques, which is due to be issued to all CPC training providers in the coming weeks.
The next module to be reviewed is Module 3: Health and Safety for the Professional Driver. Work on this will start as soon as Module 1 has issued. It is envisaged that the review team will be in place and a first meeting held by April.
In keeping with the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 action to review the accessibility of driver CPC, the RSA has introduced a pilot program for drivers with a valid ADR (dangerous goods) certificate. Qualified drivers can apply for an exemption from attending CPC module 2 in the current CPC cycle, provided that their ADR certificate is valid on the date of expiry of their current CPC card.
