Secretary of State for Transport (): The HGV driver shortage is a long-standing challenge
facing countries across the world.
As a result of the pandemic, driver testing was suspended for
large parts of the last year. It is now back up and running and
the Government has already increased capacity, but we can go
further.
Over the summer, we consulted on three measures which will
substantially increase the number of vocational driving tests
available. I can announce today that we will proceed with the
measures we consulted on:
First, car drivers will no longer need to take another test to
tow a trailer or caravan, allowing roughly 30,000 more HGV
driving tests to be conducted every year.
Second, tests will also be made shorter by removing the
‘reversing exercise’ element – and for vehicles with trailers,
the ‘uncoupling and recoupling’ exercise – and having it tested
separately by a third party.
And third, we will make it quicker to get a licence to drive an
articulated vehicle, without first having to get a licence for a
smaller vehicle. This would make around 20,000 more HGV driving
tests available every year and mean drivers can gain their
licence and enter the industry more quickly - without reducing
the rigour of the test.
We've already provided a 50% increase in testing compared to pre
Covid. These measures go even further. These new measures follow
a public consultation over the summer, which saw thousands of
respondents, including industry leaders, support the move as a
positive step to help the sector tackle the lorry driver shortage
currently affecting countries around the world. Some of these
changes will generate additional capacity for HGV tests very
rapidly, and we will shortly lay the appropriate licensing
regulations before the House. These changes will not change the
standard of driving required to drive an HGV, with road safety
continuing to be of paramount importance. Any driver who does not
demonstrate utmost competence will not be granted a licence. All
car drivers will also still be encouraged to undertake training
to tow trailers and caravans.
A new cross-government ministerial group has been set up to
monitor labour supply chains, identify pinch points and consider
necessary government action. Chaired by CDL and meeting on a
weekly basis, the group includes ministers from numerous
Government departments including the DfT, DfE, Home Office, BEIS
and DEFRA to make sure all angles are being considered.
The driver shortage is a widespread problem affecting countries
across Europe and also the United States, caused by a range of
factors, including an ageing workforce. Today’s announcement will
ramp up driver testing and numbers and help industry leaders
build a resilient haulage sector which attracts drivers from
across society.
