Changes have been confirmed that will allow more driving tests to become available to help with the current HGV driver shortage.
In a government announcement made on Friday, September 10, it was revealed that there will be new rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car.
From Autumn this year, 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.
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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, reports Lancs Live.
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.
Transport Secretary Grant said the announced 'will significantly increase the number of HGV driving tests by up to 50,000 per year.'
He said: "First, we will eliminate the need for some car drivers who want to tow a trailer to take an additional test ... allowing about 30,000 more HGV tests every single year.
"Second, tests will also be made more efficient by removing the reversing exercise element and vehicles with trailers.
"The uncoupling and recoupling exercise, having that test separately carried out by a third party so, it's still being done.
"Third, we're making it quicker to get a licence to drive an articulated vehicle without first having to get a licence for a smaller vehicle and this will make around 20,000 more HGV tests available every year."
He added he had instructed the DVLA to prioritise the processing of licence applications and made sector apprenticeships 'much more generous.'
Shapps said: "Ultimately, many of the solutions for this will come from standing challenges which the industry itself will want to take on."
For more information about the changes, visit new rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car from autumn 2021.
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