According to REC, around 70,000 HGV drivers left their role since the pandemic began, 12,500 of which were EU nationals. This shortage of truck drivers slowed down logistics last year which caused a limited supply of petrol being transported to stations. To “help” the crisis it has now been reported that motorists could be allowed to drive an HGV without sitting a test.
In a letter to MPs, the Transport Secretary 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. 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.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is opening a consultation for lifting the ban on unqualified HGV drivers being able to drive anything larger than a 3.5-ton vehicle in order to prevent further shortages.
A government source told the Telegraph: “We are past the days when EU directives were handed down on tablets of stone, and we should be prepared to liberalise where we can, testing the necessity for maintaining driving restrictions that were once thought unnecessary in this country.
“Grant thinks we should have a fresh look at this, but of course, this has to be done with due regard for safety.”
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