mzplcg wrote:

an off the wall question then if I may please.

As the holder of the C+E licence which I no longer use commercially, and given the new driver CPC laws coming into effect, if I choose not to maintain my C+E by not taking the new CPC, does it remain valid for caravan purposes?

There is also the matter of the 1st medical required at 45 years old. Again, if I don't bother with the medical does my licence remain valid for covering the B1+E category?

TIA. Dom.

I would image you'll loose the entitlement after the 5 year period (periodic training) or when you come to re-new your licence either by default (ie move house or loose the original).

The idea of the "Drivers CPC" which is totally different to "CPC" (which is for transport managers) is to "harmonise" the abilities of drivers of goods vehicles, whether light or large and the licence catagories throughout the EU (currently over 103 different varients throughout member states). This periodic training will be updated every 5 year period. As of 2011 when the third part if the EU/126/06 comes in to force, your driving licence, when renewed by default, will be issued for only 10 years and not until you are 70 years old as is the case at present here in the UK. So if you have to change or when you replace your licence you will be issues with a new one without the higher classifications unless from Sept 09 - Sept 13 you have started your "Drivers CPC" which is 7 hours training per year. The course organiser will notify DVLA of your participation. You can take ALL the training in one hit or as the law says, stagger it over a period of the five years. Upon completion of the 35 hour training over 5 years, you'll be issued with a "Drivers CPC Card" in a style like the driving licence.

In effect, you will loose your "grandfather" rights either by default ie change of address etc or as a result of not having participated in a "Drivers CPC Course" during the initial period.

Obviously you would not have a need for the heavier catagories (which is primarily aimed at "goods vehicles") anyway if you don't use them so why would you miss them! The cost of the initial first "drivers CPC" module ranges between £80 - £100 depending on where you are in the country.

Regards the "medical" if you retain the higher catagories, you'll have a medical every 5 years

For caravan purposes B+E, it is my understanding that you will not be effected but it is likely that when you change/update your licence you'll get B96 added along side automatically. For those new to driving, you'll have the option of taking the new class "B96" (gross vehicle mass of 4250) or the higher "E" (with gross vehicle mass of 7000kg) which will automatically get you the "B96" entitlement.

Got me first "Drivers CPC" module on Tuesday, £100 plus vat including a buffet lunch