Businesses need to stay on their toes when it comes to ensuring staff remain qualified under the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC), despite the deadline for the latest round of accreditation having just passed (September 10th).

According to the Freight Transport Association (FTA), UK fleet operators now have another five years before the next deadline for Driver CPC accreditation, but this does not mean they should rest on their laurels in terms of ensuring their staff are completing the requisite 35 hours of training necessary to maintain their status.

Keith Gray, FTA general manager of training, said: "September 10th was purely a milestone – not a destination. Many professional drivers may well have breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the inaugural Driver CPC period, [but] most of our conversations centre on 'where do we go from here?'

"Although many FTA members have been well organised and achieved compliance in plenty of time, it has become clear that one day per year is the most efficient and effective way to go."

Leaving the completion of Driver CPC training to the last minute can be a tricky issue for companies to face, as this can result in increased costs and a risk that staff will not have all their paperwork in order in time, meaning they would be unable to legally take to the roads.

It is therefore preferable to spread out training over the course of the next few years, with the FTA advising that a periodic approach to Driver CPC upkeep is not only less stressful for staff and businesses alike, but it also means drivers are regularly brushing up on their skills.

Avoiding bad habits behind the wheel and adhering to best practice can help individuals to stay safer when out on the roads, while also ensuring fleets are more efficient and cheaper to run.