Official statistics released today (11 August 2022) by the
Department for Transport reveal that the Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency (DVSA) carried out 74% more lorry driving
tests between 1 January 2022 and 31 March 2022 compared
to pre-pandemic levels.
Action to help deal with the HGV driver shortage
Changes to simplify the process to become a heavy goods vehicle
(HGV) driver to help deal with the HGV driver shortage were
introduced by the government in 2021. These included:
- allowing the off-road part of the lorry test to be carried
out by non-DVSA assessors
- allowing drivers to take one test to drive both a rigid and
articulated lorry
- removing the need for drivers to do a separate car and
trailer test
In addition to these changes, DVSA recruited more vocational
driving examiners to help make more tests available in the areas
of where demand is highest.
The actions were part of the the government’s 33 actions taken to deal
with the HGV driver shortage and protect the supply
chain. This included:
- making 11,000 HGV driver training places available
through Skills Bootcamps
- injecting a major and sustained boost to the number
of HGV driving tests available
- investing £52.5 million in improvements in roadside
facilities and lorry parking
Industry bodies are reporting the number
of HGV drivers is stabilising
Since the government intervened, the sector has started to
recover and industry bodies are reporting positively on the
number of HGV drivers stabilising.
They indicate that the initiatives introduced by government and
industry have started to yield results, showing that perceptions
of the industry are changing as a result of government support
and more people are looking to train and qualify
as HGV drivers.
It comes as part of wider government efforts to help more people
into work, since this is the best way to support families in the
long-term while growing the economy to address the cost of
living.
, Transport Secretary, said:
We took swift action and introduced 33 measures to support our
vital freight sector throughout a global driver shortage and
maintain our country’s supply chains. Those measures worked, with
the number of lorry driver tests being taken on the rise, and the
sector reporting driver numbers are stabilising.
We’ll continue to work with the industry to remove any potential
barriers to a rewarding, successful career in logistics and boost
driver numbers.
Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, said:
We recognise the haulage industry keeps the wheels of our economy
turning. I want to say thank you to all vocational training
providers and our vocational driving examiners for supporting the
changes.
It’s their hard work and commitment that has allowed us to offer
an additional 11,197 tests and increase the number of drivers
joining the industry.
