The Driver CPC requirement was initially introduced in 2009, this legislation meant that drivers had to complete 35 hours of periodic training every five years in order to retain their HGV driving license. The training courses that were available for drivers to complete towards their CPC requirement all had the same format, 7 hours classroom-based training in a single day around one specific subject or area related to driving. That had continued to be the case for a number of years until the introduction of Safe Urban Driving.
Safe Urban Driving provided a new format for training courses, unlike the other courses that contribute 7 hours towards the Driver CPC requirement Safe Urban Driving is not solely classroom based.
Safe Urban Driving consists of two 3.5 hour modules which provide the 7 hour Driver CPC contribution. The course allows delegates to tick multiple boxes as well as the CPC hours they can become compliant with FORS, CLOCS and WRRR legislations.
This course presents a new way of engaging drivers who are in the second cycle of periodic CPC training. Some people will argue that there is always a need for classroom-based learning this provides a structured environment to learn without disruption. However, the practical element is just as important as this allows them to experience the discussed classroom-based learning topics first hand.
Safe Urban Driving content
Theory content
• The changing streetscape and urban environment
• Vulnerable road users and sharing the road safely
• Defensive driving techniques and understanding vehicle safety equipment and how to maintain its effectiveness
Practical content
• Exchanging places, driver attitude and perception
• Introduction to active travel, driver fitness and health
• Hazard recognition: understanding the issues faced by vulnerable road users
While there will be some drivers that oppose this new style of training that has been introduced by Safe Urban Driving, the vast majority seem to have responded well to the change in format. If you keep HGV drivers shut in a classroom for 7 hours a day there is a large chance that they will switch off to the subject, as would most people. However, if you take them out of the classroom environment and do a practical module it keeps them engaged and makes the day more enjoyable for everyone. There is also the discussion surrounding whether they will retain more information from a practical module than a classroom based one. Everyone learns in different ways, there are some people that retain more information from doing practical tasks while others retain more information from reading books. This is another example of why the Safe Urban Driving course format is so popular, it caters to the primary learning styles in order to ensure all delegates learn from their training.