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How long your Driver CPC lasts if you exchange your licence

If you exchange your non-UK country or EU member state driving licence for a UK licence you can also exchange your Driver CPC qualification.

The replacement UK Driver CPC driver qualification card (DQC) will last until the date your original is due to run out.

If your original Driver CPC qualification is shown by a code 95 on your driving licence, you won’t have a separate DQC to exchange. When you exchange your licence:

• the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will tell the Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
• DSA will then send you a DQC

• Exchanging your foreign driving licence

Exchanging your licence if you already have a DQC

If you exchange your foreign licence for a UK licence and already have a DQC, you need to send your DQC to DSA so that:

• it can be recorded on the DSA database
• DSA can issue a DQC with the same number as your UK driving licence

DSA recommends that you send your DQC to DSA using special delivery postage.

Where to send your DQC

You need to write your UK driving licence number in a short letter and send it with your DQC to:

Driving Standards Agency
Driver CPC Team
PO Box 280
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
NE99 1FP

UK rules for renewing your Driver CPC

From then on, after doing 35 hours of periodic training in the UK, you'll get your Driver CPC qualification for five years. This is the same as other UK licence holders.

• Find your local Post Office® Opens new window

• Driver CPC: your Driver Qualification Card (DQC)

• Driver CPC: when and how to take periodic training

Drivers from Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man or Gibraltar

If you are from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar and drive professionally in the EU, you can:

• apply for your initial Driver CPC qualification
• take periodic training

This means you can then get a DQC.

• Driver CPC: how to get and keep it

• Driver CPC: when and how to take periodic training

• Driving on licences from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle Of Man, Gibraltar or Designated Countries

You got your vocational licence before Driver CPC was introduced

If you got your vocational licence before Driver CPC was introduced, you can do periodic training in Great Britain.

Trainers should accept:

• your valid passport as proof of your identity with your paper licence to prove your right to take periodic training
• your photocard licence as proof of your identity and to prove your right to take periodic training

When you have done 35 hours periodic training within five years, you can apply for a DQC using a DQC1 application form.

• Driver CPC: when and how to take periodic training

You got your vocational licence after Driver CPC was introduced

If you passed your vocational licence tests after Driver CPC was introduced, you can apply to take:

• the Driver CPC case studies (part two)
• the Driver CPC practical demonstration test (part four)

How to apply to take the Driver CPC tests

You can apply to take the two Driver CPC tests by phoning DSA on 0300 200 1122.

When you have passed the Driver CPC tests

When you have passed both tests, you should apply for a DQC using a DQC 1 application form.

• Driver CPC initial qualification part two - case studies Opens new window

• Driver CPC initial qualification part four - vehicle safety demonstration Opens new window

How to apply for a DQC

You can apply for a DQC by completing the DQC1 application form. To get a copy of the application form, email customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

Where to send your application form

Send your completed DQC1 form to:

Driving Standards Agency
Driver CPC Team
PO Box 280
Newcastle
NE99 1FP

How long it takes to get your DQC back

DSA aims to issue a DQC within 15 working days. However, it might take longer if DSA has to check:

• training taken in another EU member state
• the time and place of residency or employment

More useful links

• Driving in Great Britain (GB) on a licence issued in a European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA) country