More Shropshire companies are signing up to train their professional drivers to meet the demands of new Europe wide regulations before the deadline runs out, reported a county training firm.

TTC Automotive run workshops to enable companies to get their drivers qualified for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC). The next course is at their Hadley Park training HQ in Telford on March 13.

By September 2014 all lorry drivers in Europe must complete 35 hours of training to comply with the requirements. Drivers of buses and coaches have until 2013.

If professional drivers do not complete their training hours on time, they cannot drive vehicles over 3.5 tons and minibuses with nine seats or more, said Evita Hussey, TTC Automotive’s Driver CPC Training Co-ordinator for Shropshire and the West Midlands.

Introduced in 2008 across the EU to maintain high driving standards and improve road safety, Driver CPC has been designed to continually improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers.

“Take up for courses had been slow but now more and more companies are becoming aware that they really must get their drivers trained sooner rather than later,” said Evita.

Left to right, Gary Brewer, Pete Busby and Dominic Preston of WN Shredding, of Shifnal, with their Driver CPC certificates.
Up to 70 per cent of UK firms have now embarked on the training to get the professional qualification.

“It is a positive trend which is probably as a result of the many warnings that have been issued during the past year both in the county and nationwide.”

Having the qualification gives drivers “a competitive edge” in the jobs market, said Evita.

The Fleet Transport Association has warned companies that they could leave themselves exposed to a lack of choice and more cost if they delayed training.

For course information contact TTC Automotive, part of the TTC Group, praised for its nationwide driver education courses aimed at reducing the accident toll on the nation’s roads. TTC Automotive, of Hadley Park, Telford, also manage business vehicles and drivers to promote safety, reduce running costs and meet legal requirements.

For more information please contact TTC Automotive on 0333 8000 222 or visit the website at www.ttcautomotive.co.uk  or email: driver.training@ttcautomotive.co.uk