Published by Go Big Driving School | Sheffield & Rotherham | Updated June 2026
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence — Driver CPC — is the qualification that sits alongside your HGV or bus licence and confirms you are trained to a professional standard. It is a legal requirement for anyone driving a lorry or bus professionally in the UK. If you are in the process of getting your HGV licence, you will need it. This article explains what the CPC is, what the four modules involve, and what happens once you have it.
Do You Need the CPC?
You need the Driver CPC if you drive an HGV or bus professionally — meaning as part of your job or for reward. If you drive a lorry on a voluntary basis, or if your driving is entirely private, you may be exempt. In practice, anyone getting an HGV licence for employment purposes needs the CPC.
Drivers who passed their HGV or bus test before September 2009 may hold acquired rights that reduce what they need to do. Call us if you are in this position and we will advise you on what applies to your licence.
The Four Modules
Module 1 — Theory (Multiple Choice)
100 multiple choice questions covering road safety, vehicle safety, legislation, and professional driving practice. Pass mark: 85 out of 100. Taken at a DVSA test centre. Cost: £26. This is sat at the same time as your standard HGV theory test — it is the same appointment, so there is no extra scheduling involved.
Module 2 — Case Studies
A written paper lasting 1 hour 55 minutes. Seven case study scenarios covering real-world professional driving situations: regulations, safety, loading, tachographs, emergencies. Pass mark: 40 out of 50. Cost: £23. Many candidates sit Module 2 on the same day as Module 1 to keep things efficient.
Module 3 — Practical Driving Test
The DVSA practical driving test is your Module 3. It consists of an off-road manoeuvre and an on-road drive of approximately 60 minutes. This is the test most people know as the HGV driving test — it serves as both the licence test and Module 3 of the CPC simultaneously. Cost: covered by DVSA test fee (included in Go Big course packages).
Module 4 — Practical Safety Demonstration
A 30-minute practical assessment with a DVSA examiner. You walk around a stationary vehicle demonstrating your knowledge of safety checks: tyres, lights, brakes, coupling (for CE), load security, emergency equipment. It is not a road test — it is a structured walkaround and Q&A. Most candidates find it manageable once they know what the examiner expects.
Go Big is a DVSA-approved CPC Module 4 test centre. Module 4 is completed on-site at our Sheffield S9 base as part of your training week. No separate venue, no additional travel. This is included in all course packages.
What Happens After Initial CPC?
Once you have completed all four modules, your Driver Qualification Card (DQC) is issued. This is a credit-card-sized document you must carry when driving professionally. It is valid for five years.
To renew the CPC, you complete 35 hours of periodic training over five years (typically seven hours per year). This is classroom or online training covering topics such as safe driving, fuel efficiency, loading regulations, and customer service. It does not require a re-test.
What If I Already Hold an HGV Licence?
If you hold a licence but your CPC has lapsed — or you never completed the initial CPC modules — you may need to complete outstanding modules or periodic training to drive professionally again. Call us and we will advise you on your specific situation.
Ready to Get Started?
Call Dan on 0114 357 0000 for a clear explanation of how the CPC fits into your training plan.
Visit our Class 2 HGV training page, our Class 1 HGV training page, or our CPC Module 4 page for more information.