With the uncertainty regarding Brexit rife within the press at the moment, there are many questioning what will happen with Driver CPC once the UK leaves the EU. The answer (for the time being) is very simple; it will have absolutely no impact at all. Nothing has changed.
The decision made on 23rd June 2016, is for now, just a representation of public opinion. Article 50 (which starts the process of us leaving the EU) has not yet been invoked and current indications are that this will be delayed until a new Conservative Party leader has been put in place.
Once Article 50 is invoked there will be a period of at least 2 years where there will be no change, whilst we negotiate the terms of the exit and any future trade relationships.
This means that Driver CPC will not change in any way, shape or form as a result of Brexit, until at least late 2018 (just 9 months from the deadline of the next 5 year cycle).
Backhouse Jones (specialists in legal matters for the transport law sector) have stated the following about Driver CPC following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.
“Driver CPC obligations are also unlikely to change, this is because, although the regulations were created by the EU, the UK is a signatory of the, snappily titled, European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR) which contains Driver CPC obligations. The UK is expected to remain a signatory of AETR as a condition of ongoing trade with the EU. This will be in line with a number of other non EU countries.”
Therefore even after we formally leave the EU in 2-2 ½ years time Driver CPC seems highly unlikely to be “scrapped” given we still wish to trade with EU countries.
Our advice to all goods vehicle operators is very simple; it is business as usual as far as Driver CPC is concerned. We continue to strongly recommend you ensure each of your drivers completes 7 hours Periodic Training each year and you plan to meet the next compliance deadline of September 2019 exactly as you would have on 22nd June 2016.