Hello Dave

I hear what you are saying about the drivers cpc i am also a driver and but now work for a company as a business development manager for many years.

I have mixed views and here they are.

At 18 are they really ready to driver a 40 footer not really mate but it's coming in so what can do.personally it's about indivduals i know some good smart, bright lads who could probably carry the job off but i also know some wacking one's as well.

The drivers cpc is not a con it is believed that it will improve drivers safety as well as road safety lowering accidents and deaths clearly that remains to be seen but it should.£1500 seems a little high for 35 hours training personally the company i work for will be charging £85.00 per 7 hours or one days training per year that most people are looking to do so 5 times £85.00 certainly isn't £1500 and dont' forget the £85.00 will also inclued the £8.75 that is required to up load it and keep it on the national dsa data base.
Your best bet dave is to embrace this training because bottom line is it's coming in regardless and see it as a way to improve you driving knowledge.remember there are test on the drivers cpc so you won't be tested on anything.

Hope this all helps

i wish you every success
Perry Preston
J.Coates