The company, which is an approved CPC trainer, says that its training has now been delivered to more than 5,000 vocational drivers across the UK. Despite being given until 10 September 2014 to complete the 35 hours required training, demand has been high and DHL expects to help in excess of 10,000 drivers qualify before September 2014.

It also says that, despite the onus of the legislation falling on the driver rather than the employer, DHL will fund all the periodic Driver CPC qualification training for its internal drivers. A team of 50 trainers will deliver over 30 courses every week throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The company is also calling for companies to undertake the CPC training at the earliest opportunity, 'to help spread and minimise the impact of releasing drivers to attend the training and the associated back-fill costs'.

Lee Patterson, vice president operations UK & Ireland, France and EEMEA, of DHL Supply Chain, said: 'The scale of courses that DHL can offer will help ensure as many drivers as possible are brought to the core UK standard required for safe and effective transport operations, while our breadth of experience will ensure the training is as relevant as possible.'

Developed as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59, the Driver CPC is for professional drivers of Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) and Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) in the UK. Designed to improve the knowledge and skills of these drivers, the training consists of an initial qualification and then 35 hours of periodic training every five years.