Certificate of professional competence for road transport operators
Mandatory: one of the four requirements for access to the professions of public road haulier, passenger transport operator and freight forwarder, under EU Regulation 1071/2009 and the French transport code.
Issued by: The regional DREAL (DRIEAT in the Paris region, DEAL overseas), under the transport ministry; national exam run by the SIEC
Every public road transport company (freight or passengers) and every freight forwarder: the certificate is held by the designated transport manager, who effectively runs the transport activity.
What this scheme covers
- C.1Three distinct certificates depending on the business: road haulage, passenger road transport, freight forwarding.
- C.2Two regimes depending on the vehicles: “heavy” transport (over 3.5 tonnes for freight, more than nine seats for passengers) and “light” transport, with different certificates and routes to obtain them.
- C.3A broad body of knowledge: civil, commercial, employment and tax law, commercial and financial management, market access, technical and operating standards, road safety.
- C.4One item in the application to the national electronic register of road transport undertakings, alongside establishment, good repute and financial standing.
The link with Qualiopi
The certificate authorises a transport occupation and has nothing to do with Qualiopi. The bridge lies on the training side: providers preparing candidates for the CPC — in particular the 105-hour light-transport course — need Qualiopi certification to access public and pooled funding.
The process, summarised
- 1.Identify the right certificate: freight, passengers or forwarding, heavy or light regime, matching the activity in the company's objects.
- 2.Choose the route: the annual national exam, diploma equivalence (diplomas, titles and certificates listed by ministerial order) or validation of management experience in a transport company.
- 3.For light transport, complete the mandatory 105-hour course at an approved centre and pass the written exam that closes it.
- 4.File the certificate request with the competent regional DREAL (Cerfa form 11414), with supporting documents.
- 5.Register the company in the transport register and obtain the operating licences (Community licence or national transport licence, plus certified copies).
FAQ — Road transport CPC
+Do you need the CPC to deliver with a van?
Yes, as soon as you carry goods for hire or reward: the “light” regime covers vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised weight. The company must be entered in the transport register and appoint a transport manager holding the matching certificate.
+Can you obtain the CPC without sitting the exam?
Two other routes exist: diploma equivalence, for holders of a diploma, title or certificate on the list set by ministerial order, and validation of experience managing a company's transport activity. The duration and recency conditions are precise: have your DREAL confirm them before planning your timeline.
+Is the certificate enough to start trading?
No. Professional competence is only one of four requirements, alongside establishment in France, good repute and financial standing. You then need registration and operating licences: without a certified licence copy on board, the vehicle is not compliant at a roadside check.
- French Transport Register: The Four Requirements and the Licences7 min
- Training for the Road Transport CPC: What Providers Must Plan For7 min
- The French Road Transport CPC Exam: Format, Marking and Preparation7 min
- French Road Haulage CPC: The Three Routes to Obtaining It7 min
- Light or Heavy Road Transport: Which French CPC Do You Need?7 min
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