A new qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers – the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) – is being introduced across the EU. In the future, drivers will be required to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence. The new requirement will be introduced in September 2008 for bus and coach drivers and in September 2009 for lorry drivers. In Britain, implementation of the Driver CPC is being administered by the Driving Standards Agency.

New drivers acquiring a vocational entitlement after the relevant implementation date (and intending to work as a driver) must obtain an initial Driver CPC qualification. Drivers already holding a vocational licence on the relevant implementation date will be deemed to hold Driver CPC by acquired rights. All drivers must complete 35 hours of training every five years to keep their Driver CPC valid.