RoadSafe Europe

Dangerous Goods & transport training and consultancy

Transport Manager CPC

CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) Transport Managers (Road Haulage)
Level 3

Applicants for a Goods Vehicle Operators' Licence must show that they are a "professionally competent" Transport Manager, or that they employ another who meets this requirement to act on their behalf (i.e. an external consultant - but this is now quite difficult).

To become "professionally competent" applicants must pass examinations for the Certificate of Professional Competence for Transport Managers. The qualification has been developed to meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 of the European Parliament, and of the Council of 21 October 2009. Successful completion of the course will qualify the student to be nominated as the professionally competent person on a standard operator licence for any road haulage business. But, please note that this qualification may not be recognised in the EU member states (despite fully meeting their requirements). It is possible that they may insist that those with a UK CPC take an additional examination on specific aspects of transport operation which are unique to that country should you wish to be nominated as a competent person for a business based in that EU member state.

There are two types of qualification, those for road haulage and passenger operations (PSV). Currently, we only offer the PSV examinations, not the training course - sorry.

The qualification is assessed by two examinations. First, a 2 hour multi-choice exam with 60 questions with a 70% pass mark (essentially a memory test of key facts), followed by an open-book, 2¼ hour case study exam (with between 6 and 8 questions with a 50% pass mark), to test the practical application of knowledge, and an understanding of the role of the Transport Manager. Candidates will require a good level of literacy and numeracy to complete the course (though additional help can be given - see below). You will be allowed any reference materials you find useful during the open book exam, and are allowed to use a dictionary and basic calculator during both exams.

The course deals with a wide range of subjects, such as:

  • The European Single Market
  • Company Law
  • Industrial Relations
  • Health and Safety
  • Financial Management
  • Commercial Conduct of Business
  • Marketing
  • Company Charts, KPI's and Work Plans
  • Business Taxation
  • Operator Licensing
  • Drivers’ Hours and the Working Time Directive
  • Drivers Records
  • Planned Preventive Maintenance
  • Vehicle Costings
  • Vehicle Taxation
  • Transport Ancillaries
  • Contracts of Carriage
  • Electronic Data
  • Weight Dimensions of Vehicles and Loads
  • Safe Loading of Vehicles
  • Transit of Goods
  • Mechanical Conditions (Plating and Testing)
  • Mechanic Conditions (Fleet Inspection and Enforcement)
  • Driver Licensing
  • Traffic Regulations and Speed Limits
  • Road Traffic Accidents
  • Insurance
  • Vehicle Selection
  • Permits and Methods of Operating
  • Customs Transit Systems
  • Incoterms
  • Trans-Frontier Crossings
  • International Transport Documentation

The examinations are held four times a year. There is also a possibility of taking the multiple choice exam on-line, at any time of the year. You will have the opportunity to either sit the examinations at our centre in Southampton, or closer to home at any centre of your choice, (other examination centres may impose extra fees which will be payable directly to them).

At RoadSafe we limit our class sizes to a maximum of five trainees (Logistics UK usually run at 16+ for example) to ensure they receive the amount of personal attention required for such a wide syllabus.

The CPC course can be very hard work (it's the equivalent to an A-level), so we offer three study options:

Option 1. Home Study - You will receive a full set of course notes which will allow you to study the complete syllabus in your own time, and select the examination date which is best suited to you. During your study, you will have full and unlimited access to a course tutor who will be available to give you extra help and guidance if required. You will also have the ability to sit your examinations at any approved centre in the UK. Home study students also have the option to attend one-two days of classroom revision and for mock examinations if they wish (at an extra cost).

Option 2. Intensive Study - Ten classroom based training days spread over any two weeks prior to the examinations. Courses are conducted using a combination of study notes, PowerPoint presentations, sample questions and a range of interactive teaching techniques. We strongly recommend that there is a rest period between the course and examinations to give the candidates the opportunity to revise any areas they are unsure of. During this period, you will have unlimited access to your tutor for additional guidance.

Option 3. Sectional Study - This gives the best compromise between the home and intensive study options. It involves eight-ten classroom days broken into three smaller sections over any six-month period before the examinations (the shorter period is possible as the student can choose to complete some of the sections as home study). Between sessions, you will have time to revise and practice the materials, and again, will have unlimited access to your tutor for extra help. Sectional courses are conducted using a combination of study notes, PowerPoint presentations, sample questions and a range of interactive teaching techniques.

All of our tutors hold teaching qualifications and have experience of working within the transport industry. Our course materials are updated after every set of examinations to ensure that they reflect the style and content of future examinations. We are also able to offer extra support for dyslexia sufferers, such as offering all course materials in larger type, in more natural fonts, and on high contrast coloured papers.

Refresher courses

We can also offer one-two day OLAT refresher courses for existing CPC holders who wish to keep up-to-date with changing legislation or for continual professional development (CPD). Occasionally, following a public inquiry, Transport Managers may be required to attend such a refresher course by the Traffic Commissioner or the Central Licensing Office.

The subjects to be covered are entirely flexible, but the usual modules include Drivers Hours and Records, Maintenance, Driver Licensing, Operator Licensing, OCRS etc. There are no examinations required for these courses. Each trainee will receive an attendance certificate.

Ten-day intensive course: £1675.00 + VAT (examinations included)

Sectional Study course: £167.50 + VAT per day (variable according to the amount of days taken + examinations)

Home Study course: £400.00 + VAT (examinations are not included, you can chose to sit them with us, or go anywhere else in the UK)

Examinations only:  Multi-choice: £100.00 + VAT*    Case study: £105.00 + VAT*

* Inclusive of exam fees and our invigilation and administration fees

Tel: 02380 702576 or, [email protected]

Subjects

Setting up a Road Transport Business

This section examines what the candidate needs to know prior to setting up a transport business - marketing, developing a business plan, decision-making factors, financial considerations, business ownership, obligations upon transport operators and consequences of bankruptcy.

Access to the Road Haulage Market

Covers the legal requirements of setting up a business, and getting access to the road haulage market. The issues of professional competence, good repute and financial standing are covered so that candidates are aware of what is required by law when applying for a Road Transport Operators Licence. Community Authorisations and bi-lateral permits are also covered which meet the legal obligation for carrying out operations in the EU and beyond.

Transport Operations Management

This section introduces the candidates to the main issues in managing a road haulage business: distribution management, logistics, selecting the vehicles, fleet management, insurances, documentation for the driver, vehicles and particular loads, the role of information technology in transport, organisation of work, operating efficiency and fuel economy, etc.

Financial Management

Provides students with the main financial information required when setting up and running a business. It also covers basic accounting information such as keeping accounts, balance sheets, financial analysis, depreciation, costings, pricing, cost allocation, budgeting and managing cash flow. Other areas covered include, road user charges, methods of payment, renting, and factoring. There is also a section covering invoicing and "incoterms", fares and pricing.

Civil, Commercial and Social Legislation

Focuses on the social issues concerned with road transport. Areas covered include employers' social security obligations, work contracts, obligations of the parties, working conditions and working hours, paid leave, remuneration, breach of contract, working time directive, main types of contract used in road transport, conditions of carriage, contract, agency and carriers liability, employment health & safety legislation, driver qualifications, compliance with traffic regulations, compensation for loss or damage to goods, etc.

Conventions and Documentation

This section examines the various conventions and documents in use in transport in passenger operations in Ireland and abroad. Areas covered include: CMR Convention, Carnet de Passage en Douane and other Customs documentation, transit agreements and road user charges.

Route Planning and Road Safety

Examines the importance of safety in transport and covers the legal requirement under the tachograph regulations for driving hours and rest periods, and tachograph record keeping. It also examines the requirements for route planning especially when undertaking an international journey.

Technical Standards

This section deals with the EU Legislation on the common rules or standards in operating vehicles in Europe. Areas covered include: EU type approval, vehicle weights, dimensions and design, abnormal loads, special permits and vehicle testing, technical standards, vehicle selection, loading and unloading, cargo-handling and loading devices, noise and air pollution, drawing up periodic maintenance plans, compliance with the safety requirements, vehicle maintenance, and the carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR).