Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 and Council Directive 91/439/EEC and repealing Council Directive 76/914/EEC (c. 59)

ANNEX I U.K. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Section 5: U.K. Approval of the initial qualification and periodic training

5.1. The training centres taking part in the initial qualification and periodic training must be approved by the Member States' competent authorities. Approval may be given only in response to a written application. The application must be accompanied by documents including: U.K.

5.1.1.

a suitable qualification and training programme specifying the subjects taught and setting out the proposed implementing plan and teaching methods;

5.1.2.

the instructors' qualifications and fields of activity;

5.1.3.

information about the premises where the courses are given, the teaching materials, the resources made available for the practical work, and the vehicle fleet used;

5.1.4.

the conditions regarding participation in the courses (number of participants).

5.2. The competent authority must give approval in writing subject to the following conditions: U.K.

5.2.1.

the training must be given in accordance with the documents accompanying the application;

5.2.2.

the competent authority must be entitled to send authorised persons to assist in the training courses of the approved centres, and must be entitled to monitor such centres, with regard to the resources used and the proper running of the training courses and tests;

5.2.3.

the approval may be withdrawn or suspended if the conditions of approval are no longer complied with.

The approved centre must guarantee that the instructors have a sound knowledge of the most recent regulations and training requirements. As part of a specific selection procedure, the instructors must provide certification showing a knowledge of both the subject material and teaching methods. As regards the practical part of the training, instructors must provide certification of experience as professional drivers or similar driving experience, such as that of driving instructors for heavy vehicles.

The programme of instruction must be in accordance with the approval and must cover the subjects in the list in section 1.