The Government will review the speed with which Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) driving tests and driver medical assessments currently take place, and consider options to accelerate both in order to help address the shortage of qualified HGV drivers. Speeding up test bookings and the medical assessments it is perceived will get qualified drivers onto the road quicker.
From BIFA’s reading of the Budget the Government committed to work with road haulage firms on an industry-led solution to the driver shortage. BIFA has consistently supported better access to and funding support for training of drivers to encourage particularly the younger person into the industry.
Another interesting statistic was that in February 2015, 1,345 HGV drivers were claiming jobseekers allowance compared with 3,100 the previous year.
