Lucketts Travel, the coach firm based in Fareham, has introduced driver training schemes for its existing coach drivers, as well as a driver academy for new recruits.

The move comes ahead of new EU laws, due to be enforced in September, stating that coach drivers must hold a Certificate of Professional Competence. This will comprise an initial qualification test for new and existing drivers, which will need to be re-taken every five years. The tests will be equivalent to the existing NVQ Level 2 PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) Driving.

The first new recruits at Lucketts have recently completed their training programme, which incorporated the existing PCV driver test, in addition to foundation courses in health and safety and customer care, in preparation for the new laws.

For further information telephone 0845 389 0644