Professional driver qualification
The professional driver qualification act contains some changes
For all lorry and bus drivers, the professional vehicle drivers qualification law (BKrFQG) includes some changes, since now the further training is mandatory for the drivers.
For all lorry and bus drivers, the professional vehicle drivers qualification law (BKrFQG) includes some changes, since now the further training is mandatory for the drivers.
With this stipulation, the lawmaker wishes to
- increase road safety
- enable profitable driving and
- create a joint training and educational standard within the EU.
The TÜV NORD AG training centres offer various training courses and also provide the prescribed further training in company-internal training sessions.
What does the professional vehicle drivers qualification law include?
To date, professional drivers carried out their profession after getting their driving licenses.
With the professional vehicle drivers qualification law, drivers require a basic qualification with subsequent further training courses in addition to their driving license before they are allowed to drive professionally.
Who requires the basic qualification and the further training?
The regulations apply to all goods and passenger drivers insofar as they
- drive professionally and
- drive vehicles requiring C and D class licenses
- are German nationals, EU nationals or nationals of a state with which the EU has a corresponding agreement.
Hence, the law applies to all lorry and bus drivers using their driving license for professional purposes. It also applies to temporary drivers.
The professional vehicle drivers qualification law has applied to all bus drivers since 10.09.2008 and will also apply to all lorry drivers from 10.09.2009.
Exceptions:
- Vehicles with maximum permissible speeds of 45 km/h
- Armed forces, police, civil protection and disaster control and street cleaning vehicles
- Vehicles used for emergency rescues
- Vehicles used for transporting materials and equipment that the driver requires for carrying out his/her profession
- Workshop personnel (test drives)
Proof of basic qualification and further education
Proof of successful completion of the basic qualification and further education is an entry of code 95 in the driving license.
Fines
Substantial fines may be issued in the event that drivers have no professional vehicle drivers qualification:
- up to € 5,000 for drivers
- up to € 20,000 for companies
