Consultation on proposals to address the driver shortage
10 August 2021
The DVSA has, on the 10th August 2021, launched a consultation seeking views on proposed changes to HGV, minibus, bus and coach driving tests. The proposed changes were announced by the Government on 20 July 2021 as part of a package of measures intended to help address the current driver shortage.
The consultation will be open for 4 weeks and will end at 11:59pm on 7 September 2021.
What is being consulted on
The measures being consulted on are proposed changes to the current requirements to obtain a vocational driving licence, including:
- allowing drivers to take one test to drive both a rigid and articulated lorry, rather than having to pass a test in a rigid lorry first, and then another in an articulated lorry
- allowing drivers who want to use a bus or coach to tow a trailer to take one test with a trailer, rather than having to pass a test without a trailer first
- allowing the off-road manoeuvres part of the test to be assessed by the driver training industry
- allowing car drivers to tow a trailer without having to take another test
DVSA are interested to hear your views on the proposals.
You can read the consultation document and have your say here.
Increasing vocational testing capacity
DVSA have also confirmed that they are continuing to explore other measures to support increasing the availability of vocational tests such as recruiting additional vocational examiners and making changes to the online booking service.
For further information, contact our Regulatory team on 01254 828300 or regulatory@backhouses.co.uk.
