A New Year, A New Start for Professional Drivers

The start of a new year is always a natural reset. For many people it is about health, finances or personal goals. For professional drivers, it is also the ideal time to look at your qualifications, your compliance and where you want your career to go in the year ahead.

At Sandy Arthur Training Services, we see January as one of the most important months of the year. It is when drivers, operators and employers take stock, check what is due to expire and put plans in place to stay legal, safe and employable for the next 12 months.

Whether you are an experienced HGV or PSV driver, someone looking to return to driving, or a company responsible for a fleet of drivers, starting early gives you options, flexibility and peace of mind.

Why January matters for driver training

Every year we see the same pattern. Drivers wait until a CPC card, licence or medical is close to expiry, then try to book at the last minute. Courses are full, test slots are limited and suddenly something that could have been simple becomes stressful and expensive.

By planning in January, you avoid that pressure.

It allows you to:

• Spread CPC modules across the year rather than cramming them into a few weeks
• Secure better dates for practical tests and assessments
• Keep your licence and driver qualification card fully valid at all times
• Avoid losing work because paperwork is out of date

For operators, it also means fewer vehicles parked up because a driver cannot legally work.

Keeping your Driver CPC on track

Your Driver CPC is not just a legal requirement. It is also one of the best ways to keep your skills sharp and your knowledge up to date.

Rules change, technology changes and the roads are busier than ever. Our CPC courses are designed to reflect what drivers actually face on Northern Ireland’s roads, not just what is written in a manual.

We deliver a wide range of modules including:

• Driver hours and tachograph compliance
• Road safety and vulnerable road users
• Fuel efficient driving
• Driver wellbeing and fatigue awareness
• Health and safety and load security
• Load securing 

By starting your CPC hours early in the year, you can choose the modules that suit your work and avoid being forced into whatever is left later on.

More than just CPC

Sandy Arthur Training Services is not just about ticking boxes. We are here to support drivers at every stage of their career.

We provide training and testing for:

• HGV and PSV licences
• Initial Driver CPC and Module 4
• CPC renewals
• Forklift, plant and construction related qualifications
• Periodic training for experienced drivers

Because we are part of a wider family of transport businesses, including Sandy Arthur Coach Hire and Executive Travel NI, we understand what employers are looking for. We train drivers to be safe, compliant and professional, not just to pass a test.

Local knowledge, real experience

Our trainers work in and around the North West every day. They know the routes, the conditions and the challenges drivers face on rural roads, busy tourist corridors and urban areas like Derry Londonderry and Coleraine.

That local knowledge makes a difference. It means your training is grounded in reality, not theory.

We also work closely with local employers, helping them keep their drivers legal, insured and ready for work all year round.

Make 2026 the year you invest in yourself

If you are serious about driving, then investing in your training is investing in your future. Better qualifications mean better job opportunities, more security and often better pay.

January is the perfect time to get started.

Whether you need a few CPC hours, a full licence upgrade or you are just not sure what you need, our team is here to help you plan it properly.

To book or get advice:

📞 02877722221