Driver shortages are a growing concern for bus and coach companies of all sizes – attracting new people to a career as a driver is proving to be an uphill battle for the industry. Peter Jackson looks at the route into becoming a qualified PCV licence holder and asks, are potentially talented young drivers being put off?
Introduced in 2008, the current Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) scheme – the only route into becoming a fully-qualified Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driver – has been cited as a potential reason for the nation’s lack of drivers. Broken down into four stages, the scheme requires a great deal of commitment on the learner’s part – not to mention significant financial outlay.
Upon its introduction, the CPC process – which was introduced across the European Union – aimed to ‘improve road safety and make savings for the industry’ by reducing the number of accidents and encouraging fuel efficient driving. Rosemary Thew, then Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency (now DVSA), said of the system: “The different elements of the test, in addition to the ongoing training thereafter, will require drivers to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in a real life setting. Better trained drivers should help to avoid the costs – both human and financial – of road accidents in the UK.” […]
By subscribing you will benefit from:
- Operator & Supplier Profiles
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Lastest News
- Test Drives and Reviews
- Legal Updates
- Route Focus
- Industry Insider Opinions
- Passenger Perspective
- Vehicle Launches
- and much more!
