Becky Hinshelwood 28th November 2023

Grandfather Rights, licence renewal and everything in between

For anyone who passed their driving test prior to 1997 or 2009, there are subtle differences in what is required for an HGV driving qualification. If you are looking at a career change with an HGV driver training course, this may apply to you. Similarly, perhaps you are looking to return to HGV driving after a period of alternative employment. We look at how grandfather, or acquired, rights work and how to go about renewing a lapsed HGV driving qualification.

What are Grandfather Rights?

Grandfather rights is a common term for ‘acquired rights’. This status is a result of different regulations being in place at the time that you took your original driving test. For HGV drivers, this normally means that you did not have to take the Driver CPC initial qualification. Although there’s no requirement to take the CPC course for drivers with acquired rights, you must still undertake periodic training. This is within the same parameters as those who have taken the CPC. Grandfather rights can also apply to the category of vehicle that is included on your standard or vocational driving licence.

1997 Licence Changes

A key licence change that affected HGV training requirements was in 1997. This was the point when the UK adopted the EU unified licence. Old classifications of vehicle (HGV 1, 2 and 3) became category C and C+E, with C1 added soon after. Because category C covered both the old 2 and 3 classes, licence holders of both of these classes were automatically given category C+E entitlement. This maintained the allowance for drivers who had habitually been driving trailer vehicles. There was however a restriction note limiting trailer capacity to drawbar trailers. Drivers who had passed their standard car driving test before 1997 would automatically have category C1 and C1+E included in their entitlement. There is a restriction note on C1+E entitlement in these circumstances limiting the combined weight of vehicle and trailer to 8250kg.

2009 Licence Changes

In 2009, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) was introduced. This qualification is required for all new professional drivers of vehicles in category C1 and above. If you passed your vocational test before September 2009, it is assumed that your driving experience is such that you do not need to complete the initial CPC training. However, as the CPC is an ongoing requirement, all drivers must comply with the same regular training guidelines.

Maintaining your CPC

The first block of training for professional drivers who passed their HGV test before 2009 was due to be completed by September 2014. This is followed by 5 year increments from then. So 2019 and 2024. There is a total of 35 hours training to be completed over the course of each 5 year block. This equates as just 7 hours per year, so is very manageable.

What is the DQC?

Your driver qualification card, or DQC is the proof that you have completed the required periodic training that it takes to maintain your CPC. For those with grandfather rights, you will have been given a DQC on completion of the first block of training and must maintain it in the same way. Even though the initial CPC training was not required.

Lapsed CPC

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you drive an HGV professionally after your driver qualification card expires and you have not completed 35 hours of training. If your CPC does lapse, you must complete the full 35 hours of training before you can be issued with a new DQC. The new card will be valid from the point when you have completed your training.

The purpose of Grandfather rights

There’s a very practical reason that grandfather rights exist. This is that when there is a change in regulation, there is a risk that numerous professional drivers could find themselves driving illegally due to a technicality. Therefore, when things like classifications or examinations are altered or updated, it’s important to keep current drivers on the road. This precedent should provide peace of mind to current HGV drivers. Whatever changes may occur within HGV driving regulations, there will be allowances that ensure consistency for the current workforce.

Renewing an HGV licence

You may need to renew your HGV driving licence if your current licence is due to expire, or if you want to add a new driving category to your licence. The DVLA will notify you 56 days prior to a licence expiring. If your HGV licence does expire, you can still renew it within 2 years of the expiry date. After this time you will need to apply for a new licence.

There are a couple of different procedures for renewing an HGV licence, based on your age. For drivers under the age of 45, you must complete and return form D47PU. If you’re over 45 or are renewing within 56 days of your 45h birthday, you must complete and return form D47P and also form D4 which is a doctor completed medical examination report.

2023 consultation

As of 2023, driving licence regulations are under government consultation again. A variety of proposals have been put forward including amends to the driver CPC and shorter periodic testing. There is also a potential licence change that will entitle all drivers to operate vehicles up to 7,500kg, or C1 category. It’s important to note that commercial drivers of C1 category vehicles and above will still be required to complete their driver CPC.

Although there will come a point when the parameters of current grandfather rights will cease to apply, there will always be some form of acquired rights to bear in mind. This is because regulations are always being amended, updated and evolved. It can be incredibly daunting if you are trying to work out what process you need to go through to either return to, or begin a career in HGV driving. At Easy as HGV we work with you for the whole process to qualify and maintain your CPC, no matter when you passed your original test. To find out more, get in touch!

Becky Hinshelwood

Becky is a writer for Easy as HGV, specialising in creating engaging content for the HGV industry and covering a variety of topics relevant to small businesses.

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