Quick answer
For a GB lorry, bus or coach driver doing the 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years:
- You only drive professionally in the UK: National courses, International courses or a mix all count. You get a National card if any of the 35 hours are National.
- You drive, or might drive, professionally in Europe: do all 35 hours as International courses. One National course counted in your 35 hours makes the card National, and a National card is for UK use only.
- You already hold a card issued before 3 December 2024: it is International. Your next card depends on the 35 hours you do for it.
- There is no opt-out from Driver CPC itself. You need it unless a specific exemption covers your driving. The “opt out” DVSA offers only stops National courses counting towards your 35 hours.
Log each course in TachoClear as National or International and see your 35 hours against your card’s expiry. DVSA’s record is the one that counts. Not legal advice.
What is the difference between National and International Driver CPC?
Since 3 December 2024 there are two kinds of Driver CPC card. A National card lets you drive professionally in the UK only and says “Domestic UK use only” at the bottom. An International card lets you drive professionally in the UK and Europe. Every card issued before 3 December 2024 is International (DVSA: getting your Driver CPC card).
The change is in law: the Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 created National periodic training and the National card, in force from 3 December 2024, with National Return to Driving courses from 1 February 2025.
How long are National and International courses?
A National course can be as short as 3 hours 30 minutes, in person or as e-learning. An International course is at least 7 hours and can be split over 2 consecutive days. Up to 12 of your 35 hours can be e-learning, whichever courses you take (DVSA: finding training courses). The regulations add that National courses must take place in the UK, and National training can be done on separate days that need not be consecutive (regulation 7A).
Can you mix National and International courses?
Yes, if you only drive professionally in the UK. Your 35 hours can be all National, all International or a mix (DVSA: how much training you need to do).
No, if you drive professionally in Europe. All 35 hours must be International. If any National course is in the 35, you get a National card and cannot drive professionally in Europe.
One counted National course makes your card National
If you might drive in Europe, do not let a National course count towards your 35 hours: DVSA’s check your Driver CPC periodic training hours service lets you “opt out”, so National courses on your record stop counting. The reason: once you receive a National card, International hours already on your record cannot be reused to get an International card, so you would need a fresh 35 hours of International training to qualify for Europe.
Is there an opt-out from Driver CPC altogether?
No. There is no opt-out from Driver CPC: you need it unless a specific exemption covers your driving. DVSA puts it simply: you must have Driver CPC if you drive a lorry, bus or coach as the main part of your job (DVSA: check if you need Driver CPC). There are exemptions for particular uses and vehicles, for example:
- carrying material or equipment you use for your job, as long as driving is less than 30% of your rolling monthly working time;
- driving within 62 miles (100 kilometres) of your base, carrying no passengers or goods, where driving a lorry, bus or coach is not your main job;
- non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods;
- a vehicle limited to a top speed of 28 mph.
DVSA lists the rest and says to seek legal advice if you are not sure.
Lapsed 60 days to 2 years ago? Take a Return to Driving course
If your Driver CPC expired between 60 days and 2 years ago, you can take a Return to Driving CPC course (regulation 7B of the 2024 regulations; DVSA: returning to be an HGV or bus driver):
- it lasts 7 hours, up to 2 of them as e-learning;
- you can drive professionally in the UK once your training provider has recorded it;
- you then need 28 more hours within 12 months to stay qualified;
- you can take it only once every 5 years.
If your CPC has not expired, or expired fewer than 60 days ago, the course instead goes on your record as 7 hours of International training towards your 35 hours; it does not start the 12-month route above. To drive in Europe, you need the full 35 hours of International training first, and the return course can be part of it.
What happens if you drive without it?
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC, and you can get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card. You must carry the card while driving professionally (DVSA: getting your Driver CPC card).
Keep track of your hours
Use DVSA’s check your Driver CPC periodic training hours service to see the hours that count. In TachoClear you log each course as National or International, see your 35 hours against your card’s expiry next to your driving and working time, and can get a reminder before the card expires. The rules guide carries the same CPC summary.