A package of measures to help tackle the HGV driver shortage has been announced by the Government.

In an open letter to the road haulage sector, ministers have pledged to work with industry leaders to attract new drivers, simplify training and encourage people to stay in the industry.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has already worked to ensure almost 1,500 HGV drivers pass their driving test every week but the Government is going further still to make sure new drivers get up and running in the industry as quickly as possible.

A new consultation will be launched on allowing drivers to take one test to drive both an articulated and rigid lorry. This would streamline the process for new drivers to gain their HGV licence and would increase lorry test appointment availability. The consultation will ensure road safety is paramount, and set out that drivers will still be supervised until fully qualified.

The consultation will also look at allowing trainers to examine drivers in the off-road manoeuvres part of the HGV driving test, and look at whether specific car and trailer tests should be required. This will allow a significant increase in the number of HGV driving tests to be conducted whilst maintaining road safety standards.

DVSA

About the Author: John Loughran