Getting your CPC card is just one of the steps to becoming a safe and competent professional minibus driver. Your CPC card in conjunction with your full licence in the required category allows you to operate as a professional minibus driver.
If you passed your driving test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission then your licence only covers you to drive automatics in that category.
There are also some special conditions that apply:
If you are still a category B (car and light van) novice driver:
If you are driving professionally:
To maintain your driver CPC card, you must attend mandatory RSA training. Every five years you must:
In each case, training must last for one day (a minimum of seven hours per day) and is compulsory. CPC periodic refresher training is only provided by RSA-approved trainers at RSA-approved training centres. When booking your training module, make sure your trainer and training centre are approved. Unapproved training will not count towards your driver CPC.
Now you're a fully qualified and licensed professional minibus driver. Your CPC card along with your full licence in the required category allows you to operate as a professional minibus driver. But you should never stop learning more driving skills and road safety awareness. Remember, now that you're a professional minibus driver, you're even more responsible for your safety and the safety of others.
Research shows that the highest period of risk for a driver is the first two years following qualification.
You must display N-plates on any vehicle you drive for a period of two years from qualification.
This means that if it is less than two years since you got your category B (car and light van) driving licence, you must also display N-plates on any minibus you drive until that two-year period ends.
N-plates are:
Full guidance on the use of N-plates.
No. You cannot act as a sponsor or accompanying driver for any category D1 (minibus) or CPC bus driver until you have held your category D1 (CPC minibus) licence for two years.