In a bid to get more HGV drivers qualified to cope with the national shortage of products, changes to to laws around driving licences are being made.
Restaurants, supermarkets and shops have all reported issues with supplies across the country and there are concerns the situation will get worse if the driver shortage issue is not addressed.
While not solely down to one reason, suggestions for the driver shortage and supply problems across the UK have included the "pingdemic" with drivers being forced to isolate and a growing demand for goods, groceries and takeaway food to be delivered to homes during the pandemic.
LancsLive reported that three changes have been confirmed regarding current driver testing with the aim of allowing more driving tests to become available and help to alleviate the HGV drivers shortage.
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The announcement was published on the Government website on Friday, September 10.
It said: "Over the summer, we consulted on three measures which will substantially increase the number of vocational driving tests available.
"I can announce today, September 10, 2021, that we will proceed with the measures we consulted on."
Those measures are as follows:
- 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.
- 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.
- It will become 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.
The statement adds: "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."
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