Could motorists being allowed to drive an HGV without an additional test alleviate the lorry driver shortage?
That’s the question being asked by the UK government.
Before 1997, anyone with a car licence (category B) also got automatic category C1 entitlement meaning they could drive a lorry up to 7.5 tonnes. This was known as ‘grandfather rights.’ However, EU directives told that anyone passing their test after this date needs a separate test for a C1 licence.
Well, now that Brexit has happened, this EU rule no longer applies. So, could this be the answer to the driver shortage?
Where did all the lorry drivers go?
We all remember the chaos caused last year (and continues to affect us all) by a lack of drivers leading to a shortage of goods and fuel.
According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, there is already a retention problem in the industry, but this was exacerbated by Brexit and COVID-19, with 70,000 HGV drivers leaving their roles since the start of the pandemic.
With the chronic inability to retain HGV drivers, the government is now looking to intervene.
The Government’s call for evidence
As a result, the Department for Transport has launched a call for evidence on various options to help more people enter the haulage profession.
A report in The Express explains that the transport secretary Grant Shapps, in a letter to MPs, wrote: “It has been suggested that now the UK has left the European Union, we may wish to allow all car drivers – not just those who passed their test before Jan 1, 1997 – the right to drive these larger vehicles without the need for a further test.
“Changes to the licensing categories would potentially create a greater pool of drivers,” he added.
“I am quite happy to explore this idea and how this may work in reality – without making any commitments to legislative change at this stage.”
Could this be the answer to the HGV driver shortage issue?
The call for evidence period runs until the 28th of October, so we’ll have to wait and see the outcome.
The DfT also stated that any changes made would “need to ensure continued safe use of our roads”, and there may be a minimum age requirement before being allowed to drive a 7.5-tonne truck.
It would undoubtedly widen the net and tear down the current barriers to drivers looking to enter the haulage industry, but only time will tell – if this is put in place – if it solves the HGV driver shortage.
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