The Driver Periodic DCPC

The Driver Periodic DCPC, you will have read all the adverts, and have heard all the rumours about it, so this is the right time to ask. Will Professional Drivers in the UK Unite? We are now approaching the deadline of September 2014 for the Driver Periodic CPC and it is becoming more apparent the injustice and travesty of this ill thought out European Directive being implemented by the UK Government. This EU Directive left each member state to decide how the “35 hours training every five years” was to be introduced, and as always with the UK Government their first consideration was how can we make jobs for our friends and make some money. Consequently we had the creation of a new "quango" JAUPT.  This had the desired effect of creating jobs for the boys and money for the DSA.  We now have a situation where every driver “MUST” undergo 35 hours training every 5 years to be able to continue to earn a living, there has been no consideration as to his experience or qualifications, or what training is required as per individuals.  Attendance is the only criteria, you can fall asleep while attending, take the same course 5 times, learn nothing and yet still become DCPC Qualified, a worthless and unrecognised qualification with no benefit to our profession or Industry. VOSA ,The Police and other Authorities can issue on the spot fines and yet only a small minority at checks receive them, because the majority of Drivers are already professional in their approach and yet we are all being treated the same with absolutely no respect as professionals yet again. Owner Drivers and others with National CPC Qualifications, and other highly qualiifed LGV/PSV drivers will still need the extra 35 hours training with absolutely no regard to the training they have already undertaken. It can now be seen in clear evidence that not all trainers are fully qualified or suitable to give instruction, some cutting corners, giving out wrong information, making money at driver’s expense without any consideration but the profit margin.  Trainers are only to be audited and checked once in a five year period if at all, there are no checks on the content of the course or whether the instructor is fully qualified.  Most simply pays their money and receive Jaupt permission to become a "trainer".  I will add there are some very good and reputable trainers that are also going to be damaged by these under qualified amateurs as in time they present a poor image of training. We do thankfully have some Companies that have taken this on board (as is their responsibility) and are providing the correct training for their drivers, but these are very few and far between, and even some of the big names are then making their own drivers pay for the training. Agency drivers, owner drivers, part timers, small business operators will all be picking up the added cost of training themselves. Anyone reading this article will possibly agree that no amount of poorly thought out training is going to alter the actions of the idiots and the bad apple drivers in our profession but we have all been tarred with the same brush in needing this DCPC.  The professionals that have been driving 20/30/40  years without a blemish to their character or licence must now undergo training to be instructed on something they have known and been doing all their driving career, no amount of classroom study can prepare us for such a wide and varied profession. Is this DCPC an injustice to treat us all the same, to make us all pay for the training whether it is required or not. Truckersworld is a peaceful communication tool between driver and other parties and I have always maintained that talking through a problem and offering proposals and solutions can be the best way forward in gaining results.  With this in mind we have had meetings with Government Ministers and representation from the DSA and also contacted other voices that represent the numbers in our industry and yet we continue to hit a brick wall and a deaf ear to the problems this current  DCPC is going to bring in 2014. We remain the lone voice in opposition to this new legislation which will cost drivers and the industry £millions every year. Not just for 5 years, but for the next 20, 50 or 100 with no benefit in the long term to our industry.  Within our industry the majority of driver's are professional in their approach, observe and obey all the regulations thrown at them, drive to a safe standard and portray an image of a professional driver. Unfortunately there is a small minority that cannot keep up this standard and have no regard for the regulations and it is those this directive is aimed at. Unfortunately due to an OTT approach by Brussels it was decided that all driver's needed training. Something that has become very apparent in our attempts to be heard and asking for a "review" and further consultation is that although this is going to cost everyone involved in our industry.  Those that should be representing them in opposition are also providing training and making profit which could be the reason why they remain quiet and saying little, Truckersworld also requested to be included into the consultation committee on the DSA/Jaupt Panel but were declined by them, maybe because all other parties on the panel are looking at making monetary gain from this DCPC and offer no opposition to it. With 100s of signatures from drivers who have signed our petition forms and many that will refuse the training and hang up their keys in 2014, plus the 1000s that are nearing retirement or see little point in paying out for a short period of time, then those that at present drive part time will all consider the cost and no benefit for just a few days work.  The numbers will build up into 10,000s of highly qualified and experienced drivers that in 2014 this Industry and Country could lose, the ones that pass on their wealth of experience in helping the newer drivers or assisting with advice, and keep this economy on the move without accident or incident.  Companies will then be forced into accepting foreign drivers that might get their DCPC by far easier means than that in the UK. Peaceful Protest. With all the problems, the evidence, the cost, the poorly consulted criteria, the insult to professionals and lack of ensuring suitable training,  Truckersworld considers as no one is willing to listen our only course of action now is to try and make our Government see the consequences of not acting before the deadline of 2014, gain much needed publicity from the media and possible public and driver support by organising a peaceful protest and walk to Downing Street,  by we hope 1000s of drivers that can see the injustice of this current format in that of the DCPC Each and every driver will file through and hand in a set of keys to demonstrate how many experienced drivers this Country could lose, many more will come in support who are having to foot the bill for training.  Remember that your Company might well be paying this year and next but will this continue as the cost spiral out of control, or you change employment where the Company do not pay for it.  Maybe £50 this year but in 10 years it could be £100 and what new instruction can you receive after attending 5/10 classroom courses. I would like to thank the editors that have printed this in offering all the drivers in the UK an opportunity to read it, many that may not frequent forums or the internet to know just how badly this might have a direct effect on them, we are very aware that there are still many drivers that do not understand this DCPC.  Also to point out to those reading that we are not against proper training to make our roads safer and the standard of driving better.  We are opposed to the current implementation of this DCPC format. All I am asking at this present time is how many “drivers” would offer their support and join many others in London on this day of protest, a chance to show a unity in strength of numbers for a reason that is an injustice and travesty on your futures.  You can contact me by various means below this letter. If I consider enough support can be established then I will go ahead and arrange a well organised professional and peaceful protest.  Once the details and format have been confirmed I will inform you of dates and planning.  This will be planned for early to mid 2012 to give plenty of notice, maybe you can book a day’s holiday, even the possibility that some Companies who are paying for their drivers might see the benefit in allowing some of their driver’s time to attend as it may be an added cost on an already struggling Industry. Please read this carefully, consider your future, think what may happen once fully accepted in 2014, with cost rising and Government bringing in more modules (they have already tried  “cyclist awareness module” as a must have).  We as driver's have in principle just accepted all that has been thrown at us over the years, the WTD, RTD, Tacho, POA to name a few and if we continue to just accept without any protest what is to be next on the agenda. United we can achieve something, divided we will continue to be treated with no respect for the professional job we do every day. Contact Barrie Tozer or join in our discussions on the forum (It is free) http://forum.truckersworld.co.uk Email;-  truckersworlduk@aol.com

You can hope and pray this DCPC will go away, sit on the fence and do nothing, accept it without protest, pay for unacceptable training.  or Join us to try and bring about change, the choice is yours.