Drive an HGV or bus professionally while you're training
Apply to drive an HGV, bus or coach professionally for up to 12 months before taking all the qualifying tests if you’re doing certain training courses.
You normally need to pass 4 Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests before you’re allowed to start driving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach professionally.
If you’re taking certain training courses, you can apply to start driving professionally after you pass all of these tests:
at Level 2 or above on the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) register
at Level 5 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
accredited by a national awarding body that’s externally regulated by either Ofqual, theScottishQualifications Scotland,Authority, or the Department of Education
Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to check if your course is eligible.
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When you send your application form, you’ll need to include this supporting evidence:
a scan or photocopy of your Driver CPC part 1 (theory) certificate
a scan or photocopy of your Driver CPC part 3 (driving ability) certificate
proof of your registration on an eligible training course
Pay the £25 fee by credit or debit card (you’ll need to do this by phone after you have applied).
Send the form by post
You can also send the application and supporting evidence by post. You can pay by credit or debit card, or by cheque if you apply by post.
DVSA Suite 208, Cubix Noble House Capital Drive Linford Wood Milton Keynes MK14 6QP
What happens next
You’ll get an email that will tell you if your application has been approved or rejected. If it’s been approved you’ll be sent an approval letter and your concession card by post to your home address.
By law, you must carry your concession card when you’re working.
You can be fined £50 for driving professionally without your card.
The card will have a start date and an expiry date printed on it. The start date will begin from whichever of these is the latest:
the start date of the training course you’re taking
the date you passed the Driver CPC part 3 test
Your concession will last for 12 months from your start date. It will end sooner if you:
stop taking your training course
complete your training course
You must pass the Driver CPC part 2 and part 4 tests by the time your concession ends.
You must stop driving professionally if you have not passed the tests by then.
Replace your concession card if it’s lost, stolen or damaged
You must replace your concession card if it’s been lost, stolen or damaged. There’s no fee for this.
Email DVSA to get a replacement. You need to include your:
Updated form 'Apply for a Driver CPC National Vocational Training (NVT) concession'.
15 November 2022
Updated the application form to apply for a Driver CPC National Vocational Training (NVT) concession.
1 October 2022
Updated the address for JAUPT if you want to send the form by post.
21 February 2022
Updated with the latest version of the application form.
19 October 2021
Updated the list of training courses that are eligible. Added new sections on what it costs, what happens after you have applied, and how to get a replacement concession card if it’s lost, stolen or damaged.
1 February 2017
Updated information about where applications need to be sent.