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Professional drivers

9. Apply for your first driver CPC card

Once you've passed the four stages (theory test, case study test, practical driving test and walkaround test) and added the bus and/or truck categories to your full licence, you must then apply for your driver CPC card. You can't drive professionally until you receive this card.

How to add a category to your driving licence

How to apply for your first driver CPC card

To apply for your driver CPC card you must download and complete the driver CPC driver qualification card declaration form.   

Provided all of your details are in order, you should receive your driver CPC card within 20 working days of application. It will be sent by post to the address you listed in the declaration form.

*Please Note: There is no fee for this service.*

 

How to renew your driver CPC card and stay qualified

Getting your CPC card is just one of the steps to becoming a safe and competent professional driver. Your CPC card along with your full licence in the required category allows you to operate as a professional driver.

To maintain your driver CPC card, you must attend mandatory RSA training. Every five years you must:

  • attend one seven-hour driver CPC training module per year with an RSA-approved CPC training organisation (35 hours over five years)
  • attend a total of 42 hours of driver CPC training modules if you hold bus and truck driver CPC and wish to maintain both.

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.

If you have returned to professional driving and are compliant in your 35-hour periodic training requirements on your MyCPC portal and you have not received your renewed driver CPC card before the current card has expired, you can submit a query to the RSA.

Frequently asked questions

No, even if you have applied for one and are waiting for it to arrive. You can only drive a truck or bus professionally when you have a valid driver CPC card,  If you are stopped by an RSA Transport Officer or An Garda Síochána and you do not have your Driver CPC card, penalties will apply.

If you are a first-time applicant and have not received your driver CPC card within 20 days of applying, you can  submit a query to the RSA.

If you have returned to professional driving and are compliant in your periodic training requirements and you have not received your renewed driver CPC card before the current card has expired, you can submit a query to the RSA.

You may be permitted to return to work as a professional driver without the need to undergo the full process to re-qualify for a driver CPC card, if you are a driver:

You may also qualify for a driver CPC card if you are a driver:

This means you were already working as professional driver and obtained your truck driving licence on or before 9 September 2009 or your bus driving licence on or before 9 September 2008.