Updated 29 April 2026 • Reviewed by an RSA-Approved Driving Instructor at Naas Driving Academy

Key facts at a glance

Driver CPC is a Certificate of Professional Competence required for professional bus and truck drivers in Ireland.
You must attend 35 hours of CPC periodic training over 5 years (1 module of 7+ hours per year) to maintain your CPC card.
There are 6 official modules; truck drivers do modules 1-5, bus drivers do 1-4 plus 6, dual-licence holders do all 6 (42 hours over 5 years).
New drivers must be 18+ for truck CPC, 21+ for bus CPC, hold a full car licence, be medically fit.
It is illegal to drive professionally without a current CPC card — RSA officers and Gardaí can issue penalties.
Naas Driving Academy is an RSA-approved CPC training organisation serving Naas, Kildare, and the wider Leinster region.
Naas Driving Academy has 37+ years of experience training professional drivers.

Driver CPC training, simplified

Everything you need to know about the RSA Driver CPC programme — the 6 modules, periodic training rules, who needs it, and how Naas Driving Academy delivers it for Naas, Kildare, and the wider Leinster region.

Who needs Driver CPC

You need a current Driver CPC card if you drive professionally — whether self-employed as a sole transport operator or employed by a company. You need both:

It is illegal to drive professionally without a CPC card. Penalties apply if stopped by an RSA transport officer or An Garda Síochána without one.

Frequently asked questions

How many CPC modules do I need to do per year?

One module per year, minimum 7 hours, for 5 years. That’s 35 hours total over 5 years to keep your CPC card valid.

What if I hold both bus and truck CPC?

You complete all 6 modules over 5 years (42 hours total). Truck-only is modules 1-5; bus-only is modules 1-4 plus module 6.

Where can I check my CPC training record?

The RSA MyCPC portal at rsa.ie/mycpc. Records are uploaded by the training organisation within 21 days of the course.

What if I miss a year of training?

You will not receive a new Driver CPC card after 5 years. You must catch up — contact an approved CPC training organisation to schedule the missing module(s).

How much does a CPC course cost?

Each ADI/training centre sets their own fees. Get a quote from Naas Driving Academy on 045 879969.

Book Driver CPC training in Naas

All 6 official RSA Driver CPC modules. Truck and bus periodic training. Phone 045 879969 to book.

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is the qualification every professional bus and truck driver in Ireland needs. The RSA’s official definition: “Driver CPC is a Certificate of Professional Competence for professional bus and truck drivers. It sets and maintains high standards of safety and driving among drivers of trucks and buses.”

This guide covers what CPC is, who needs it, the 6 modules, how to maintain it through periodic training, and how Naas Driving Academy delivers it locally.

The 6 official Driver CPC modules

The RSA defines 6 modules. Different licence categories require different combinations:

Module 1 — Control of the vehicle and eco-driving techniques

Characteristics of the transmission system, effective use of safety controls on buses and trucks, and optimisation of fuel consumption.

Module 2 — Minimising risks and managing emergencies

The risks on the road for drivers of trucks and buses, and the ability to assess emergency situations.

Module 3 — Health and safety for the professional driver

Awareness of physical and mental ability, and prevention of physical risks.

Module 4 — Role of the professional driver

The social environment of road transport and the rules governing it.

Module 5 — The professional truck driver

Loading, criminality prevention, image of the industry, carriage regulations, economic environment of road haulage.

Module 6 — The professional bus driver

Forces affecting vehicles in motion, vehicle overhang, gearbox ratios, defensive driving, dealing with vulnerable road users, vehicle stability.

Maintaining your CPC qualification

The RSA wording: “To maintain your driver CPC qualification, every five years you must attend one unique driver CPC training module per year with an RSA-approved CPC training organisation (35 hours over five years).”

Each training day must be at least 7 hours. Training is classroom-based with class discussion, road safety videos, and quizzes. All participants receive a CPC training manual at the start.

How to become a professional CPC driver in Ireland

Step 1 — Prepare. Hold a full car licence, be medically fit, be over 18 (truck) or 21 (bus).

Step 2 — Theory test. Pass the truck or bus driver theory test at a Prometric test centre.

Step 3 — Case study test. Pass the CPC case study test (computer-based, scenario-led).

Step 4 — Learner permit. Apply for a learner permit for category C, C1, CE, D, D1 or DE.

Step 5 — Professional driving lessons. Take professional driving lessons with an RSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).

Step 6 — Driving test. Pass the practical driving test (€152 in two parts).

Step 7 — Walkaround test. Pass the practical walkaround test (vehicle safety inspection).

Step 8 — Driving licence. Apply for your full licence for the relevant category at NDLS.ie.

Step 9 — Driver CPC card. Apply for your Driver CPC card from the RSA — you must have it before driving professionally.

Step 10 — Maintain compliance. Complete one CPC periodic training module per year (35 hours over 5 years) to keep your CPC valid.

Drivers with acquired rights

If you held a professional bus or truck licence before specific dates, you may have acquired rights — meaning you didn’t need to sit the original CPC qualification exams. However, you still need to complete CPC periodic training (35 hours every 5 years) to keep your CPC card valid and continue driving professionally.

Driver CPC Naas — Complete Guide for Bus & Truck Drivers