Returning to Professional driving and CPC

somefeen

Hello
Hope I can get some help on this. I think I know what I need to do but not 100% certain.
I passed my C test about two years ago. I did the CPC case studies and the walk around test as well.
I got offered a job immediately after I passed my test but since it didn't require a C licence I never got around to actually adding the category to my licence.

I'm looking for work again and just recently went and got the category added.
Since I didn't add the category to my licence I never got a CPC card.

Am I right in thinking that if I want to get my CPC now I need to do 35 hours of class room training and then fill in the 'return to professional driving declaration form'.
Or am I going to get stuck to do the Case studies and walk-around again?
Thanks for any help. Hoping to get this sorted ASAP.

donkey balls

I don't know how it works for someone having just got their license since the CPC came in, But for people who held the license before hand all they needed to do was get in contact with the RSA regarding the CPC modules and complete the modules needed before going driving again.
People who had the license before 08 were automatically giving the CPC card I think in 2014, I don't see why you would need to take the case study or walk around checks again as you have the license.
My guess would be that you probably need to do 2 CPC modules as it be 2 years since you passed the test.

Wishbone Ash

somefeen wrote: »

...I passed my C test about two years ago... .... I never got around to actually adding the category to my licence....

:eek: :eek: :eek:

If more that 2 years has elapsed since getting you certificate of competency, you'll be back to square one again with the C licence.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

:eek: :eek: :eek:

If more that 2 years has elapsed since getting you certificate of competency, you'll be back to square one again with the C licence.

The OP said they recently got it, must have been very close to the 2 year deadline.

I think with the CPC the same applies, you need to redo it after 2 years, as in the theory tests, show and tell etc.

Wishbone Ash

Oaklynn Tall Whirlwind wrote: »

The OP said they recently got it, must have been very close to the 2 year deadline....

Oops - apologies. The bit about the 2 years just jumped off the screen!

Del2005

Oaklynn Tall Whirlwind wrote: »

The OP said they recently got it, must have been very close to the 2 year deadline.

I think with the CPC the same applies, you need to redo it after 2 years, as in the theory tests, show and tell etc.

The theory test the OP did will still be valid. What amount of the "classes" they need to get driving is the issue.

IMO since the OP never had a C licence before they just start on module 1 and wait 5 years for the card, but the RSA will have the correct answer.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Del2005 wrote: »

The theory test the OP did will still be valid. What amount of the "classes" they need to get driving is the issue.

IMO since the OP never had a C licence before they just start on module 1 and wait 5 years for the card, but the RSA will have the correct answer.

The theory test for the driver CPC will still be valid? Case studies and multiple choice questions theory tests?

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Oops - apologies. The bit about the 2 years just jumped off the screen!

I had to read it twice to make sure, initially I thought the same as yourself.

Boxcar_Willie

I have a C licence for past 25 years.
Stopped driving a truck in 2000 but kept C licence up-to-date.
Where would I stand now with CPC if I were to resume driving occasionally ?
Have been offered holiday relief work , would probably just be for a few weeks for a company delivering their own goods nationwide.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

I have a C licence for past 25 years.
Stopped driving a truck in 2000 but kept C licence up-to-date.
Where would I stand now with CPC if I were to resume driving occasionally ?
Have been offered holiday relief work , would probably just be for a few weeks for a company delivering their own goods nationwide.

You may be entitled to CPC on a grandfathers rights basis, that means doing every CPC module since 2009, all in it would cost you about 500e to get upto date, only then will they issue you with a card.

The other option is initial CPC.

Case studies theory test €72
Multiple choice theory test €72
Show and tell, also known as the walk around check, this is an actual test conducted on an actual truck which you must supply, cost €32

You don't drive the truck but must demonstrate you know the controls, secondary controls, checking for contraband, what would you check as part of your daily check etc.

Hire of truck would be anywhere from .€50 - 100.

The prices i quoted were that when i did it, www.theorytest.ie will give you all the answers on that aspect of it, it may be cheaper and less time consuming than having to sit through nearly 2 solid weeks of CPC courses, each one costing from 50e upwards to 70 on average.

Did you get your digital tachograph card already? You'll need one nowadays, €45 online or €60 via a paper application

If you are paid to drive a truck or a bus it is driving professionally, therefore you need your CPC's and will need a card which is only now issued to persons who are upto date on their cpc training and it lasts for 5 years, but you must keep doing the modules if you wish to keep the cpc valid at the expiry of the current card.

Boxcar_Willie

Thanks Deckard Shaw for the detailed reply.
It contains all the information that I need.
Initial CPC would seem the way to go.
I don't have a digital tacho card , have only ever used the white paper discs in the red box.
How times have changed.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

Thanks Deckard Shaw for the detailed reply.
It contains all the information that I need.
Initial CPC would seem the way to go.
I don't have a digital tacho card , have only ever used the white paper discs in the red box.
How times have changed.

That's the analogue tacho, they are still around but since May 2006 it is all digi cards, basically any bus or truck registered after that date you'll need a card, most companies insist on it when seeking drivers.

You can get a digi card without the CPC. Here is the link, you would be treated as a first time applicant.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Professional-Drivers/Tachograph-cards/Driver-card/Apply-for-a-driver-card-/

Times have changed indeed, my own father even said if he had his time over he wouldn't have bothered with the industry such is the expense at getting into it.

donkey balls

You don't have to sit every CPC module since 09 you can Just do 5 modules even in the same week cost about €250 then the digi card anoth €50.
I know a lad that stopped driving for a while and he just dis what ever CPC modules to keep.him current.
Anyway f**k all changes happen in the books and no new legislation has come in, Its the biggest load of crap ever thought up and a money spinner for companies that do the courses.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

donkey balls wrote: »

You don't have to sit every CPC module since 09 you can Just do 5 modules even in the same week cost about €250 then the digi card anoth €50.
I know a lad that stopped driving for a while and he just dis what ever CPC modules to keep.him current.
Anyway f**k all changes happen in the books and no new legislation has come in, Its the biggest load of crap ever thought up and a money spinner for companies that do the courses.

Happened a guy who was with us on a course last year, he had to do the lot, don't shoot the messenger

donkey balls

Well I would question that I don't drive for a living anymore, Since 2012 Any way and I wouldn't be required to do 7 CPC modules.
to get back in the seat.
If you think about it it's done over a period of 5 years the initial cards were issued in Sep 2014 for trucks. So if someone hasn't drove since 2010 they won't need to do 9 CPC but 5.
As I said I had a lad that worked with me that gave the driving up for a few years,And wanted to get back in the saddle he called the RSA explained the situation and just done what ever courses he needed to do.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

donkey balls wrote: »

Well I would question that I don't drive for a living anymore, Since 2012 Any way and I wouldn't be required to do 7 CPC modules.
to get back in the seat.
If you think about it it's done over a period of 5 years the initial cards were issued in Sep 2014 for trucks. So if someone hasn't drove since 2010 they won't need to do 9 CPC but 5.
As I said I had a lad that worked with me that gave the driving up for a few years,And wanted to get back in the saddle he called the RSA explained the situation and just done what ever courses he needed to do.

The catch here is you have already held a CPC, the chap in question hasn’t ever held it. I’m finding that some of the more mature generation are giving up CPC courses altogether, I had my last one written off as non compliant and they won’t change it so not only did I waste s day, I wasted €50 and have to do that module again to be compliant, I wonder sometimes why I ever got into the game.

donkey balls

Non compliant ? what do they mean by that? Is it that the class room instructions were not set out in the standard way.
And why should you be out of pocket.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

I sat the course 15 days too early. The computer says no is all it basically is. The problem was created by my CPC dates being changed when I acquired the bus licence, it took them all of 4 years to tell me. September was always my date and I even have the current CPC card verifying it. It’s all a money racket really. As I am now in year 2 of my cycle I need to do a minimum of 2 or a maximum of 3 to bring me upto date. The onus is on me to get my dates right they said. The sooner this shìt is tied in with the licence the better, all 3 of mine have different expiry dates if you include the digi card. January, June and September. When I added the bike in January that threw out the dates even more, my licence was valid until July 2023 and cost me €55, then I had to get a new medical and pay another €55 last January as NDLS rules say that is the way things are if I have less than 5 years remaining on my medical. All I keep seeing is my wallet being stripped.