News

The new driver training directive got off to a strong start last weekend with the first of the Big Train Driver CPC events attracting 70 drivers at Warwick University on Saturday for a full day of training. The Big Train initiative, launched by the publisher of Motor Transport in association with contract hire and fleet management specialist Fraikin, attracted drivers  from all over the UK eager to get a head start in achieving their 35 hours of training.

There were four courses on offer during the day:

• Health, road and environmental safety
• Vehicle safety, control systems and fuel efficiency
• LGV-specific regulations, loading and best practice
• Rules and regulations governing the road transport industry

All the courses were fully subscribed. Delegates were treated to a slap-up three-course lunch and a good supply of tea and coffee at the Warwick University venue.

"Big Train is a major training initiative aimed at raising the standards of driver training in the UK," Motor Transport publisher Andy Salter told delegates at the event. 

"Truck driving is a professional industry with a lot of extremely professional individuals involved and it's about time we all started to recognise that and behave appropriately if we are going to attract the essential new blood into the business.  This is the first of what we expect to be many more high quality training days," he added.

CPC scam

Skills for Logistics chief executive Mick Jackson is warning operators and their drivers not to fall for a Driver CPC exemption scam, which is currently doing the rounds on the internet. "This scam has hit the web minutes after the new regulation came into force," he told Big Train delegates.

"It's rubbish. There is no exemption certificate available."