The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) recently completed an EU-funded training programme to enable its driving examiners to test prospective candidates for Category C (goods carrying) and Category D (passenger carrying) vehicles in line with CPC Directive 2003/59/EC, which was transposed in the Motor Vehicles (driving licences) Regulations.
The purpose of the directive is to improve the knowledge and skills of lorry and bus drivers, primarily aimed at enhancing road safety and promoting eco-driving.
All professional drivers of passenger transport vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, who obtained their driving licence from September last year, are required to sit for an examination to obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
Similarly, professional drivers of goods-carrying vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5T must obtain this certification if they obtained their driving licence in September this year.
Drivers who held category C and D licences prior to these dates are not required to obtain such certification, but will be required to undergo periodic training every five years to ensure they attain the necessary professional standard.
Under the guidance of a senior technical expert from the Hungarian National Transport Authority, which has partnered with ADT to provide this training, ADT driving examiners were given demonstrations on international best practice, and through extensive practical and theoretical training, were taught how to conduct CPC practical tests for prospective drivers.
On the conclusion of this course, ADT driving examiners and managerial staff of the Driving Licences Unit within the Licensing and Testing Directorate have become qualified to: examine applications from prospective candidates and assess their aptitude to take the CPC theory test; conduct the CPC practical test; test and accredit trainers/instructors; monitor trainers/instructors who would have been accredited.
As part of this project, the theoretical testing system is also being updated in line with the directive requirements.
This training costs €137,500 and was financed fully by the EU through the Twinning Light project.