Code 95 (Driver CPC)
Code 95 is the mark on a driving licence that shows a professional driver of trucks or buses meets the EU training rules. The UK calls it the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). A driver must renew it every 5 years with 35 hours of training.
A truck driver needs more than a driving licence to drive for work. The EU requires professional drivers to keep their skills up to date. Code 95 on the licence is the proof. A driver without a valid Code 95 may not drive professionally, even with the right licence category.
Who needs Code 95?
Every driver who drives a truck or bus for work in the EU, in these licence categories:
- C1 and C1E. Trucks between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, with or without a trailer.
- C and CE. Trucks above 3.5 tonnes, alone or with a heavy trailer.
- D1, D1E, D and DE. Minibuses and buses.
Some drivers are exempt, for example when driving is not their main job or the vehicle is for personal use. A van driver with only a B licence does not need Code 95.
How do drivers get and keep it?
- Initial qualification. A new driver passes extra theory and practical tests on top of the licence exam.
- The mark. The licence shows code 95 with the end date. In the UK, the driver gets a Driver Qualification Card.
- Periodic training. Every 5 years, the driver follows 35 hours of approved training to renew. For the Dutch rules, see RDW.
A driver who misses the deadline loses the right to drive professionally until the training is done. Ask for the end date as well.
What else do drivers need?
Code 95 is one of several documents. A full driver screening often also covers:
- The licence category the vehicle needs, such as C or CE.
- A digital tachograph driver card. The card records driving and rest times. It is personal and valid for 5 years.
- ADR. A certificate for transporting dangerous goods, for fuel and chemical routes.
Each document has its own end date. A driver can be valid on one and expired on another.
Licence vs Code 95
| Driving licence (C or CE) | Code 95 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | The person may drive the vehicle | The person may drive it for work |
| How you get it | A driving exam | Initial qualification, then training |
| Renewal | By licence rules | Every 5 years, 35 hours |
How do you screen truck drivers?
Ask short, objective questions early:
- "Which licence categories do you have?"
- "Do you have a valid Code 95? Until when?"
- "Do you have a driver card?"
- "Do you have ADR?" (only for routes that need it)
Make the licence category and Code 95 knock-out questions. The rest can be weighted questions. For the other certificates that come up in blue-collar work, see blue-collar worker.
How does Ringtime handle driver questions?
Ringtime asks the questions in the screening. It does not check licences or documents.
- You add the driver questions to the screening flow. Mark the must-haves as mandatory to make them knock-out questions.
- The AI assistant asks them by phone or WhatsApp, in the order you set.
- The other questions count by their importance. Each candidate gets a score from 0 to 100.
- A candidate who fails a mandatory question goes to recruiter review. The assistant never rejects a candidate by itself.
- The answers land in the Ringtime web app and in your applicant tracking system (ATS).
Your team checks the documents before the first trip.
To ask the must-have questions before anyone books an interview, see how Ringtime screens candidates.
