Transport Manager CPC Course in Wigan: Road Haulage (NLTC Approved)

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a legal requirement for anyone managing the operation of goods vehicles in the UK and Europe. Our course covers the road haulage route, for operators running goods vehicles on a Standard National or Standard International licence, and prepares you for the NLTC exams and for the demanding role of a Transport Manager. Passenger transport is covered as industry context, so if you need the Passenger Transport CPC for buses, coaches or minibuses, you will need a PSV provider rather than this course. New to the role? Start with our guide on how to become a Transport Manager in the UK.

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Three ways to qualify with Submatter

Choose the route that fits around your work. All three prepare you for the NLTC Transport Manager CPC exams. For online and home study prices, and the next available dates, get in touch or see the booking calendar further down this page.

Classroom courseOnline courseHome study
WhereOur training centre in WiganFully online, from anywhere in the UKAt your own pace, from anywhere
FormatTwo weeks, Monday to FridayThe same course content as the classroom course, run fully onlineTheory information pack, with up to 10 one-to-one hours with a tutor
ExamsNLTC exam on the Thursday of week three, at our Wigan centreNLTC Case Study and Multiple Choice examsChoose from one of four NLTC exam dates a year
Price£1,495 plus VAT, including learning materials, exam and registration feesAsk us for a priceAsk us for a price
Best forStructure and face to face teachingDelegates outside the North WestFitting study around work

What Is the Transport Manager CPC?

The Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a legal requirement for any individual nominated to manage the road transport operations of a goods vehicle or passenger vehicle operator licence. It is a formal qualification regulated under EU Regulation 1071/2009, now assimilated law in the UK.

If a business holds an operator licence to run commercial vehicles on UK roads, it must have at least one person named on that licence who holds a Transport Manager CPC. Without it, the business cannot legally operate. The qualification covers every aspect of running a compliant transport operation: from driver hours and vehicle roadworthiness to financial planning and operator licensing law.

Fleets carrying hazardous loads have a further requirement, because drivers need ADR dangerous goods training and a valid dangerous goods driver card before the load moves.

Close-up of a blue semi-truck on a wet road with a cloudy sky in the background.
Close-up of a blue semi-truck on a wet road with a cloudy sky in the background.

Who Needs a Transport Manager CPC Qualification?

You need a Transport Manager CPC if you are:

  • Named as a Transport Manager on a Standard National or Standard International Operator Licence

  • An owner-operator who manages your own fleet and holds the operator licence personally

  • A transport or logistics manager whose employer holds an operator licence and who takes responsibility for driver compliance, vehicle maintenance and hours management

  • A transport planner or operations manager looking to formalise compliance knowledge with a nationally recognised qualification

Keeping drivers compliant also means keeping their Driver CPC periodic training current, which is 35 hours every five years for every driver on the licence.

If you are unsure whether your role requires the qualification, our team can advise based on your operator licence type. Call us on 07513 683932 or use the enquiry form below.

Road Haulage vs Passenger Transport CPC: Industry Context

Road Haulage CPC Passenger Transport CPC
Delivered by Submatter Yes Our course Industry context only
Who needs it Operators of goods vehicles over 3.5t on a Standard operator licence Operators of passenger vehicles: buses, coaches, minibuses for hire
Focus areas Freight logistics, goods vehicle law, driver hours, load compliance Passenger safety, licensing, accessibility obligations, PSV tachograph
Exam body NLTC Varies by provider
Outcome Named TM on Standard National or International operator licence Named TM on Standard National PSV licence

Do you need the Transport Manager CPC, or OLAT?

If your business holds a Standard National or Standard International goods vehicle operator licence, at least one person named on that licence must hold the Transport Manager CPC. That is the course on this page.

If you hold a restricted operator licence, which covers carrying your own goods rather than goods for hire or reward, you do not need a nominated Transport Manager with the CPC. Operator Licence Awareness Training (OLAT) is the better fit: it gives directors, fleet coordinators and planning teams a working knowledge of operator licensing without the full qualification.

Not sure which applies to you? Get in touch and we will tell you, including if you do not need either course.

OLAT: Operator Licence Awareness Training

OLAT (Operator Licence Awareness Training) is a Level 2 qualification designed for transport planning teams, fleet coordinators, and

operations staff who need a thorough working knowledge of operator licensing requirements without undertaking the full Transport Manager CPC qualification.

OLAT is suitable for anyone involved in the day-to-day management of commercial vehicles who supports a nominated Transport Manager but is not themselves named on the operator licence. The course covers compliance fundamentals, driver hours, vehicle roadworthiness, and the responsibilities held by operators under UK licensing law.

To discuss OLAT dates and delivery options, contact us directly using the form below or call 07513 683932.

A man is giving a presentation to a group of people in a conference room, pointing at a large screen on the wall. The attendees are seated around tables, some with laptops and documents.
A man is giving a presentation to a group of people in a conference room, pointing at a large screen on the wall. The attendees are seated around tables, some with laptops and documents.

Home study option: Candidates who prefer self-paced study can order the theory information pack and book up to 10 one-to-one hours with our tutor to work through specific areas.

Home study candidates can then choose from one of four NLTC exam dates per year.

Study materials are provided throughout. Our tutors are experienced transport compliance professionals who combine examination preparation with practical, real-world application.

A group of men sitting around a conference table, working on laptops in a meeting room with large windows, white walls, and a sign that reads 'Building skilled drivers and delivering success, one mile at a time' on the wall.
A group of men sitting around a conference table, working on laptops in a meeting room with large windows, white walls, and a sign that reads 'Building skilled drivers and delivering success, one mile at a time' on the wall.

How the Course Works

The full Transport Manager CPC course at Submatter is a 2-week intensive programme delivered Monday to Friday across two consecutive weeks , with the NLTC exam sat on the Thursday of week 3 . The course is delivered at our Wigan training centre, with a fully online option also available. Note: courses run either fully online or fully classroom-based, not as a hybrid.

The course covers all subject areas required for the NLTC examination , including:

  • Operator licensing and the Standard Licence

  • Vehicle and driver management, roadworthiness, and inspection

  • Drivers' hours rules under EU and AETR regulations (now assimilated law in the UK)

  • Financial planning and business management for transport operators

  • Health and safety, risk management, and incident reporting

  • Documentation, records, and regulatory compliance

Our free drivers' hours and working time guide is a useful primer before the course starts. Drivers on your licence who need the practical side can book our tachograph and drivers' hours Driver CPC module.

Why Choose Submatter for Your Transport Manager CPC?

Submatter Ltd is a Wigan-based specialist training provider delivering Transport Manager CPC courses to professionals across the North West. Our state-of-the-art classroom in Wigan offers a focused learning environment, and our online delivery extends access to delegates across the UK.

Our Wigan training centre is itself an NLTC-approved examination centre. This means candidates sit their TM CPC exam at Submatter, with no need to travel to a third-party venue. The full course-to-qualification journey takes place under one roof.

Our tutors bring direct industry experience to every session, combining examination preparation with genuine operational insight. The result: candidates who pass their NLTC exams and feel equipped for the responsibilities the qualification demands. You can meet our tutors and training team before you book.

If you are recruiting drivers as well as managing them, we run HGV licence training from Category C1 through to C+E at the same Wigan centre.

"Jason's teaching style was fantastic, engaging, informative, and he made even the most complex topics easy to understand. Thanks to them, and a lot of reading and revision, I passed my exams with flying colours."

David Jarrett, Transport Manager, Cure it Composites

Transport Manager CPC: Exam and Assessment Overview

The Transport Manager CPC qualification at Submatter is assessed by NLTC (National Logistics Training Consortium) through a series of written examinations. The Road Haulage route consists of two exam papers: Case Study and Multiple Choice.

Exams are sat at our Wigan training centre, which is itself an NLTC-approved examination centre. This removes the need for candidates to travel to a third-party test venue. Our course preparation covers every topic area in the NLTC syllabus, with practice materials and mock examination sessions built into the programme. We support candidates through the full examination process, from registration to results, and offer guidance on resit options where required.

Resit policy: If a candidate passes one exam paper but fails the other, they have a 12-month window to resit the failed section under the same governing body (NLTC). If both papers are failed, no time restraint applies to the resit window. For the full exam format, pass rates and how to prepare, read our Transport Manager CPC exam guide.

Stack of books with an apple on top, colored pencils, and ABC blocks on a wooden table.
Stack of books with an apple on top, colored pencils, and ABC blocks on a wooden table.

Transport Manager CPC near you

Our classroom course runs at our Wigan training centre, a short drive for delegates from Leigh, Warrington, St Helens, Bolton and across the North West. If travelling to Wigan for two weeks does not work for you, the fully online course covers the same NLTC syllabus, so transport managers from Leeds and anywhere else in the UK can qualify with us.

Invest in your future and become a qualified Transport Manager. Get in contact or book here through the portal at Submatter Ltd. 

Transport Manager CPC Booking

OLAT Booking

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Transport Manager CPC is a qualification required by UK law for any individual nominated to manage the road transport operations of a goods vehicle or passenger vehicle operator licence. Without a qualified Transport Manager named on the licence, a business cannot legally operate commercial vehicles on UK roads.

  • The Road Haulage CPC is for those managing goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes under a Standard National or Standard International operator licence. The Passenger Transport CPC covers bus, coach, and private hire passenger vehicle operations under a Standard National PSV licence. Both result in the same legal status as a nominated Transport Manager but the subject content differs. Submatter delivers the Road Haulage CPC qualification only.

  • The Submatter TM CPC course is a 2-week intensive programme delivered Monday to Friday across two consecutive weeks , with the NLTC exam sat on the Thursday of week 3 . A home study option is also available : candidates can order the theory information pack and book up to 10 one-to-one hours with a tutor to go over areas they find challenging, then choose from one of four NLTC exam dates per year.

  • The course covers the full NLTC syllabus , including: operator licensing and the Standard Licence, drivers' hours rules under UK and retained EU law, vehicle roadworthiness and maintenance obligations, financial planning and business management for transport operators, health and safety and risk management, documentation and compliance records, and load security and carriage regulations.

  • The qualification is assessed by NLTC (National Logistics Training Consortium) through written examinations. The Road Haulage route consists of a Case Study paper and a Multiple Choice paper. Submatter's Wigan training centre is itself an NLTC-approved examination centre , so candidates sit their exam at Submatter with no need to travel elsewhere. Full exam preparation, mock papers, and guidance on the registration process are provided as part of the course.

  • Yes. Submatter offer both classroom-based delivery at the Wigan training centre and a fully online option. Each course is either fully online or fully classroom, not a hybrid of the two. Both routes cover the same NLTC syllabus and provide access to tutor support throughout the programme. The online route suits transport managers based outside the North West who need to qualify without extended travel.

  • OLAT stands for Operator Licence Awareness Training. It is a Level 2 qualification for transport planning teams, fleet coordinators, and operations staff who work alongside a nominated Transport Manager and need a solid understanding of operator licensing obligations. OLAT does not confer the same legal standing as the full CPC but provides comprehensive compliance knowledge.

  • All TM CPC bookings can be made directly through the calendar on this page (and the OLAT page). All available dates are listed and payment can be made online at the time of booking. For corporate bookings, in-house delivery for four or more candidates, or any specific scheduling questions, call 07513 683932 or use the bespoke enquiry form.

  • Yes. If you pass one exam paper but fail the other, you have a 12-month window to resit the failed section under the same governing body (NLTC). If both papers are failed, there is no time restraint on the resit . Submatter support candidates through the resit process with additional preparation guidance where needed.

  • Yes. In-house delivery is available for organisations with four or more candidates. Delivery is tailored to the licence type and can be scheduled to minimise operational disruption. Contact us with your team size and preferred timescales to receive a proposal.