11/08/2021
Consultation on Proposals to Address Lorry Driver Shortages
On 20 July, the UK government announced a package of measures to help address the current shortage of lorry drivers. This included a consultation on proposed changes to the current requirements to obtain a vocational driving licence, for category C and D tests and all derivatives.
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
The consultation will last for 4 weeks and end at 11:59pm on 7 September 2021. You can read the consultation document and have your say on the GOV.UK consultation pages.