- International routes: International courses only.
- UK-only work: National courses only, or a mix of National and International.
- If you receive a National Driver CPC card, International hours on your record cannot be reused to get an International card.
- The hours service lets you opt out of National courses.
The difference in practice
| Your work | Courses GOV.UK allows | Risk if you choose badly |
|---|---|---|
| Driving internationally | International only | National hours do not meet the rule |
| Driving only in the UK | National, or National and International mixed | A National card may lock International hours out |
| Not sure about future work | Take International if you might drive abroad | Retraining later |
We previously described International courses as covering 'UK and EU driving'. The GOV.UK page we read does not say that, and we also found no confirmation of the session lengths we gave before, so we have removed both claims.
Choosing the course
- Decide where you will drive over the next five years, not only this year.
- If any of that is international, plan International courses only.
- If you are UK-only and happy to stay so, National courses are allowed, and so is a mix.
- Read GOV.UK's warning about National cards before the course is paid for.
- Check the course description and the trainer's records against the type you need. The 35-hour framework is on the 35 hours.
One cycle, one place
One 35-hour cycle in each 5 years covers you even if you drive both lorries and buses. Training must be done in the country where you work or normally live. A provider selling separate hours for each vehicle type, or offering a cheaper course elsewhere, is selling more or less than the rules require.
Opting out and checking
GOV.UK's hours service lets you check the hours in your current 5-year period and opt out of National courses so they stop counting. Look at the record after each course. If the hours are logged under a type you did not intend, say so to the provider at once; the details of the check are on checking Driver CPC hours.
Why the label matters for fraud
A provider can advertise a course that does not match the work you do. The hours may then be logged correctly under the wrong type, and your plans fall apart even though the record is accurate. The cases in Driver CPC training fraud show the other failure, hours that are never logged.
- The course is named National or International on the booking confirmation.
- It matches your actual driving, now and for the cycle.
- You know what happens to your hours if you take a National card.
- You checked the record afterwards.
Driving professionally without Driver CPC can bring a fine of up to £1,000, according to GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between National and International Driver CPC?
GOV.UK says drivers who work internationally must take International courses only, while UK-only drivers may take National courses or a mix. The type you take affects which card you can get.
Do I need separate CPC for lorries and buses?
No. GOV.UK says one 35-hour cycle in each five years is enough, even if you drive both lorries and buses professionally.
What happens to International hours if I take a National card?
GOV.UK warns that International hours on your record cannot then be reused to get an International card. Decide on the card before you accept a National one.
Can I stop National courses counting?
Yes. The GOV.UK hours checking service lets you opt out of National courses. Do it only after reading the warning about International hours and cards.
Where must I train?
In the country where you work or normally live, according to GOV.UK. A course sold abroad as a cheap shortcut for a driver who works in Britain does not satisfy that rule.