Concerns are being raised by Tachodisc over how some Driver CPC training centres are not complying with the regulations set out by JAUPT after hearing reports that drivers are being offered the chance to attend a three-hour course for £45 and in return receive an accredited Driver CPC certificate for the full seven hours.
Karen Crispe, Tachodisc MD, says; "This is obviously illegal - but not surprising given that Driver CPC has been fraught with contentious issues since it was first implemented.
"Planning and paying for 35 hours of training can be difficult, particularly for small hauliers, own-account operators and owner-drivers - and these illegal scams are designed to take advantage of vulnerable drivers in these situations.
"But, Driver CPC is legislation, and if drivers are attending these courses, they are breaking the law. There is no getting away from the fact that drivers are legally required to do the required number of hours if they want to drive professionally. We also must not forget that drivers can actually benefit from attending good CPC training courses. There is real value in gaining knowledge and understanding of a particular subject - if only to avoid being stopped at the roadside and receiving a fine."
The question now, is how long these training providers can continue to get away with offering these 'services'.
Crispe says: "The only way to stamp this out and ensure training meets minimum quality standards is for JAUPT to carry out more assessments. This will require further funding and should be taken from the fees currently paid to the Department for Transport (DfT0 by training providers; at the moment, the fees paid to DfT far outweigh the funding paid to JAUPT.
"Only last year we heard from the Driving Standards Agency that of the 900 centres approved to deliver Driver CPC training, just over 200 had been audited by JAUPT and none had approval withdrawn. If you discount that roughly half of the 900 centres are run by operators, then less than half of all privately operated training centres have been independently assessed to ensure their training meets minimum quality standards. This is staggeringly low. Plus, most of the audits have been conducted at the larger more established training companies, like Tachodisc.
"Therefore, in light of these reports, and for the future credibility of the scheme, the current audit process needs to be reviewed."
Crispe adds: "If this is not addressed soon and inspection levels continue at this same slow pace, underhand training courses could continue to permeate over the next couple of years. Add to this the flood of drivers expected to cram in the required hours before the deadlines, which is already fuelling rumours about price increases and accessibility, and the situation could actually get worse."
* Karen Crispe is MD of Tachodisc. For further information, please visit www.tachodisc.co.uk or email sales@tachodisc.co.uk. Alternatively call Tachodisc on 01925 283320.
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