Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
Here you will find information about the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and how you can get or renew one.
You need to have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) if you carry passengers or goods for hire or reward in a heavy vehicle (Categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE). If you wish to carry out both goods and passenger transport, you need a Driver CPC for both types.
To qualify for the Driver CPC you need an initial qualification course and you have to pass a theory test. You must maintain your professional competence and take part in periodic training every five years.
To whom does the Driver CPC requirement apply?
The Driver CPC requirement applies to anyone who carries passengers or goods for hire or reward in a heavy vehicle. It is regardless of age and whether you drive every day or only now and then.
It applies whether you carry out the transport in you work or spare time. The Driver CPC requirement was introduced on 10 September 2008 for passenger transport and on 10 September 2009 for goods transport.
If the main purpose of the transport is the transport itself, the requirement applies to you even if transport only constitutes a small part of your work/leisure activities. It does not matter whether the transport requires a licence or can be considered “transport on own account” or company-internal transport.
When a transporter, vehicle owner or company accepts payment for transport, this requires that the driver holds a Driver CPC. This applies even if the driver receives no form of payment.
What is "hire or reward"?
"Hire or reward" means any form of compensation or payment for the execution of passenger or goods transport. It does not matter what the means of payment is, or what form the compensation takes. Services and benefits are also to be regarded as compensation, for example trading. It does not matter whether or not the driver actually intends to make a profit.
You do not need a Driver CPC for private use of heavy vehicles
The Driver CPC requirement does not apply to private use of heavy vehicles. If, for instance, you have a minibus as a family car or if you use a light lorry to pull a caravan, you do not need Driver CPC.
Did you get your driving licence before the requirement was introduced?
You are exempt from the initial qualification requirement in the following cases:
- If you held a valid driving licence for category D1, D1E, D or DE on 10 September 2008, you have a Driver CPC for passenger transport.
- If you held a valid driving licence for category C1, C1E, C or CE on September 2009, you have a Driver CPC for goods transport.
You still need to go through periodic training in order to maintain your competence. This requirement is the same for the entire EU/EEA.
Did you get your driving licence after the requirement was introduced?
If you acquire your licence for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D or DE for the first time after the requirement was introduced, you have to go through initial qualification in order to acquire a Driver CPC.
Initial qualifications
You can choose between initial qualification for passenger transport and goods transport.
The initial qualification will provide you as the driver with the competence and awareness you need before you start your career as a professional driver. It also ensures that you meet the requirements and expectations that apply to you as a member of the transport sector.
What type of training should you choose?
- If you plan to carry out passenger transport by driving vehicles in category D1, D1E, D or DE, you need to complete an initial qualification course for passenger transport.
- If you plan to carry out goods transport by driving vehicles in category C1, C1E, C or CE, you need to complete an initial qualification course for goods transport.
- A Driver CPC for good transport can be upgraded to include passenger transport or vice versa, if you complete a competence upgrading course.
For all three categories you can choose between a full or condensed initial qualification course.
Initial qualification course: full version
The full initial qualification course consists of 280 hours of theoretical and practical training at an approved course organising establishment. When you have completed the training you must pass a theory test at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon). When you have passed the test and you have obtained a Driver CPC, the following applies:
- A driving entitlement for categories C1, C1E, C and CE gives you the right to carry out goods transport from the age of 18.
- A driving entitlement for categories D1, D1E, D and DE gives you the right to carry out passenger transport from the age of 21.
Initial qualification course: condensed version
The condensed version of the initial qualification course consists of 140 hours of theoretical and practical training at an approved course organising establishment. When you have completed the training you must pass a theory test at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon).
Condensed initial qualification entails certain age-restricted entitlements. When you have passed the test and obtained a Driver CPC, you may from the age of
- 18 carry out goods transport by driving a vehicle requiring a licence for categories C1 and C1E
- 21 carry out goods transport by driving a vehicle requiring a licence for categories C and CE
- 21 carry out passenger transport by driving a vehicle requiring a licence for categories D1 and D1E
- 21 carry out passenger transport on journeys of 50 km or less, by driving a vehicle requiring a licence for categories D and DE
- 23 carry out passenger transport by driving a vehicle requiring a licence for categories D and DE
Competence upgrading
A valid Driver CPC for goods transport can be upgraded to include passenger transport or vice versa, if you complete a competence upgrading course.
- By completing a 70-hour competence upgrading course and passing a theory test, you obtain the same rights as those who have completed the 280-hour full initial qualification course.
- By completing a 35-hours competence upgrading course and passing a theory test, you can obtain the same age-restricted entitlements as those who have completed the 140-hour condensed initial qualification course.
The upgraded competence will be valid for the same period as the Driver CPC that is the basis for upgrading.
Approved course organisers
The list is continuously updated as new course organisers are approved. Please observe that the list may at times contain errors or deficiencies for which we accept no responsibility. The list is organised alphabetically by county.
Periodic training
You can renew your Driver CPC by completing 35 hours of supplementary training (periodic training) at an approved course organising establishment. There is no examination on completion of the supplementary course.
In order to take part in supplementary/periodic training you need to have a valid driving licence and a renewable Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).
When do you have to go through periodic training?
If you have a licence with code 95 or a separate Driver CPC, you must go through supplementary training by the expiry date on the card in order to maintain your Driver CPC for a continuous period of time.
If you acquired your driving licence before 10 September 2008 for passenger transport or before 10 September 2009 for goods transport, you must participate in periodic training and get code 95 on your driving licence before you can transport passengers or goods for hire or reward.
Has the deadline expired?
You can restore an expired Driver CPC by completing a supplementary course (periodic training).
If you are unsure of when you are due for periodic training, please contact us.
Course contents
Periodic training builds on the knowledge and experience you have acquired as a driver. The course emphasises the exchange of experience and reflections over your own experience. You will deepen and consolidate knowledge that is important in a driver’s everyday life, and be updated on current rules and regulations.
Approved course organisers
The list is continuously updated as new course organisers are approved. Please observe that the list may at times contain errors or deficiencies for which we accept no responsibility. The list is organised alphabetically by county.
Proof of competence as a professional driver
In Norway, a Driver CPC is issued by inserting Code 95 in box 12 on the back of your driving licence. The code may look like this: 95(09.09.23). If this is written next to category C, this means that your Driver CPC for lorries expires on 9 September 2023.
You can renew your driving licence when you have completed the initial qualification course and passed the theory test, and when you have completed the supplementary course and the course organiser has registered your training with us. You can do this on Your page or at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon).
To avoid waiting time, book an appointment if you want to renew your driving licence at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.
If you have heavy vehicle categories that are about to expire, we recommend that you renew your licence for heavy vehicle categories at the same time.
Do you have a separat Driver Certificate of Professional Competence?
If you do not have a Norwegian driving licence, and you have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, you have to renew your certificate at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office (trafikkstasjon). You can do so when you have completed the supplementary course, and the course organiser has registered your training with us.
To avoid waiting time, book an appointment for renewing your certificate at a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office.
You must bring valid proof of identity and your old certificate of competence.
Increased driver competence improves the economy, environment and road safety
The purpose of the Driver CPC requirement is to increase drivers’ competence by regularly providing them with new knowledge about changes in society, legislation and technological developments. And also to raise drivers’ awareness of their own driving style with regard to economy and the environment. One of the objectives is that to contribute to improved road safety by increasing the drivers' competence. This should lower the number of accidents where heavy vehicles are involved.