- GOV.UK has an online service to check your periodic training hours in the current 5-year period.
- The same service lets you opt out of National courses.
- 35 hours are needed every 5 years; the fine for driving professionally without Driver CPC is up to £1,000.
- We found no evidence of a counterfeit Driver CPC card market, so we do not claim one.
Who checks and why
Three people have a stake in the record. The driver needs the hours before the deadline. The employer needs proof that the driver can lawfully work. An operator needs to avoid placing an unqualified driver on a vehicle. A gap found early costs a few hours of training; a gap found at a roadside check costs a fine of up to £1,000 and a day's work.
How to look
- Open the GOV.UK Driver CPC training page and follow its link to the hours service. Do not use a link in a message or an advert.
- Read the hours logged in your current 5-year period against the 35 required.
- Compare each entry with the courses you attended. Missing entries should be raised with the provider in writing.
- Note the deadline on your card and leave enough time to book if you are short.
The GOV.UK page we read does not state which details you must enter to sign in, so follow the prompts on the official service rather than any third-party guide, ours included.
What the record can and cannot show
| Question | Where the answer is |
|---|---|
| How many hours have I logged this cycle? | The GOV.UK hours checker |
| Is my card lost or damaged? | The replacement route, covered on lost Driver CPC cards |
| Is my driving licence entitlement valid? | Your licence record: see checking your licence online |
| Should the hours be National or International? | The course types explained |
National cards and opting out
The hours service lets you opt out of National courses so they no longer count. GOV.UK gives a warning with it: if you receive a National Driver CPC card, any International hours on your record cannot be reused to get an International card. A driver who may need to work abroad later should read that before accepting a National card.
If an operator or driver is shown a card
A card is a convenient summary and a poor test. The documented problem is not forgery but a trainer who takes the fee and does not log the hours, so the card never reaches the driver. The cases are on Driver CPC training fraud, and the course rules are on the 35 hours.
- Check your own record after every course.
- For a new hire, ask to see the record, not just a card.
- Keep course receipts until the hours show up.
- Never share your licence number and personal details with a site that is not on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my Driver CPC hours?
Through the online service linked from the GOV.UK Driver CPC training page. It shows your periodic training hours in the current five-year period. Reach it from GOV.UK, not from a message.
What is the fine for driving without Driver CPC?
GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving professionally without Driver CPC. The fine is for the missing qualification, not for the card alone.
Are fake Driver CPC cards sold?
We found no evidence of a market for counterfeit Driver CPC cards, so we do not claim one. The documented fraud is a training provider that takes payment and does not record the hours.
Can I stop National courses counting?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can use the hours service to opt out of National courses. Read its warning first: with a National card, International hours cannot be reused for an International card.
What if the hours I paid for are missing?
Ask the provider in writing with the course date and your licence number. If they cannot show the hours were recorded, you may need to retrain, so act well before the deadline and keep your receipts.