SSM Group

CPC FAQs ( Frequently Asked Questions)

1: Are my drivers affected by CPC?

3: How can Driver CPC Training be Delivered?

4: How are different drivers affected by Driver CPC?

5: How is Driver CPC going to be enforced?

1: Are my drivers affected by CPC?

Driver CPC applies to all new and existing drivers who wish to drive professionally and who require an LGV or PCV licence in order to do their job.

2: Periodic Training for CPC

WHAT IS PERIODIC TRAINING?

Periodic training is continuing professional development for bus, coach and lorry drivers. It carries on throughout the professional driver’s career, no matter how infrequently they drive.

HOW MUCH TRAINING IS REQUIRED?

All drivers must undertake 35 hours of training in every five year period. The minimum length of a training course that contributes to the Periodic Training requirement is 7 hours. This can be delivered as one 7 hour course or two 3½ hour courses delivered within a 24 hour period.

WHY DO I NEED TO THINK ABOUT THIS NOW?

It is estimated that approximately 2000 drivers in Malta have to attend the periodic training. It is best that employers start putting their drivers through their periodic training now. This also enables employers to release drivers for a couple of hours during the month before the deadline, or save money by putting drivers through a group discount. Freelance drivers are encouraged to book the peridic training now.

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3: How can Driver CPC Training be Delivered?

SSM can provide a range of approved courses. The training can be completed in flexible 7 hour blocks. Only courses approved by Transport Malta (TM) count towards the ‘Periodic Training’ that is required by drivers to maintain their Driver CPC Driver Qualification Card. The seven hours excludes any breaks; only direct training and contact time (time with a trainer) count towards the Periodic Training requirement.

SCHEDULED COURSES

We have a programme of dates for each 1 day course throughout the year with Monday-Friday and Saturday options that you can book from a single driver onto, or up to a full course if you have larger numbers. You can book just 1 day at a time or any number of days up to the full course for each driver, spread over a period of time to suit you.

MONDAY – FRIDAY

If you have drivers within ten years of retirement or drivers who are likely to remain with you for a number of years, this may be the most cost effective option for you, because drivers who complete their training early in the first five year periodic training period are not required to train again until towards the end of the second five year period i.e. 10 September 2018 for PCV and 10 September 2019 for LGV drivers. SSM offer discounts for drivers booked on a block course.

VENUES FOR PERIODIC TRAINING

We have our own fully equipped training centre in Hamrun and in Victoria, Gozo and have access to a number of other venues around Malta where periodic training can be provided. If you have access to your own training rooms that meet Transport Malta's Driver CPC requirements, it may be possible to provide some of the courses on your site. Our scheduled courses are currently all provided from our Training Centre in Hamrun.

BESPOKE TRAINING

If there are other programmes of training that are not listed on this website that you would like us to provide as part of your Driver CPC programme, it may be possible for us to seek approval so that these can qualify as Periodic Training for your drivers (please contact us for details). There is an additional cost and courses do have to meet certain criteria, but we are happy to advise you if this option is of interest.

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4: How are different drivers affected by Driver CPC?

EXISTING DRIVERS (PCV)

All drivers of PCV vehicles, who held a category D, D1, D+E or D1+E licence at 10 September 2008, will need to complete the 35 hours of periodic training before 10 September 2013. This also includes drivers who hold D1 entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre-1997. After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five year period in order to retain their Driver CPC.

EXISTING DRIVERS (LGV)

All drivers of LGV vehicles, who held a category C, C1, C+E or C1+E licence at 10 September 2009, will need to complete the 35 hours of periodic training before 10 September 2014. This also includes drivers who hold C1 entitlement by virtue of passing a car test pre-1997 and drivers who hold HGV class 1, 2 or 3, gained prior to 1991. After this, they will need to undertake a further 35 hours of training in every subsequent five year period in order to retain their Driver CPC.

NEW DRIVERS

New drivers have to pass the initial Driver CPC qualification before being able to drive professionally. This can be taken at the same time as the normal driving theory and practical tests. Lower driving age limits also apply for those who achieve their Driver CPC.

New drivers who gain their initial Driver CPC after 10 September 2008 (PCV) or 10 September 2009 (LGV) will immediately begin their cycle of periodic training upon receipt of their Driver Qualification Card (DQC) and will need to complete 35 hours of training within five years of attaining their initial Driver CPC and then complete 35 hours of training every subsequent five years in order to retain their Driver CPC.

DRIVERS WHO HOLD BOTH A PCV AND LGV LICENCE

Drivers with both PCV and LGV licences will have to complete only one course of 35 hours of Periodic Training every five years; they will not have to undertake 35 hours of training for each licence category.

DRIVERS WITH LGV/PCV LICENCES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

Periodic Training must be completed in the country of employment or residence. Drivers from other countries, who are based in Malta, can undertake Periodic Training in Malta if residing here for longer than six months in a calendar year. Training completed in another EU state, where employed or resident, will count towards Periodic Training in Malta.