Government plans that could see novice drivers being allowed to automatically drive lorries have been condemned by IAM RoadSmart.
A recent government consultation suggested that drivers who possess a category B car licence should be instantly entitled to a category C1 licence, which allows motorists to drive vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes.
This would mean that a driver as young as 18 years-old, who has just passed their practical driving test, could be allowed to drive large trucks without any further training.
The new plans come as policymakers try to lighten the load for examiners, and get more lorry drivers out on the roads amid ongoing supply chain issues.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey, the UK’s large goods vehicle (LGV) driver shortage remains chronic, with the number of LGV drivers in employment estimated to have fallen by 30,300 in the first quarter of 2022.
This represents an 11% decrease from the 268,000 LGV drivers who were employed in June 2021.
But IAM RoadSmart has warned strongly against the proposal, asserting that lorries pose a larger risk to other road users if proper training is not provided.
It points to research from PACTS, which shows that LGVs pose nine times as much risk of death to other road users, compared to cars.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Research has revealed that larger vehicles pose a higher risk to other road users, so it is critical that those who drive them possess the necessary skills and training to drive them safely.
“And yet, this proposal would allow a potentially high risk 18-year-old to legally drive a lorry, without the necessary training, guidance or experience required to do so safely. In our view, these plans present a totally unacceptable risk to the safety of all road users and could lead to chaos up and down our road network.
“To combat the truck driver shortage, we would support steps to expand driver testing capacity, making the industry more attractive to a more diverse workforce and improving the working conditions and infrastructure for drivers.
“This way, we can ensure that the nation’s truckers continue to deliver vital goods, without compromising the safety of other road users.”
Should we REALLY be surprised with this crackpot idea coming from central government? Having been a trainer for Cat ‘B’ for over 20 years and know how most who pass that test might drive as if they are on egg shells when alone, who in their right mind would then believe it is not the right time for those novice drivers to then be allowed to drive a vehicle they have not only NOT been trained for, have no idea about how to control, OR have any idea about the differences in height, width or length!! When the crash levels rise, as they will, (along with the insurance claims and premiums as a direct result), who is going to be blamed? If the past is anything to go by, it’s going to be the poor ADI/trainer who will be accused by the Agency for not providing the correct training!
In my time with grandfather rights, I have assessed drivers in 7.5 tonne vehicles who are just starting with new companies who commit to providing a duty of care to their prospective new drivers, and who, frankly, have, in my experience, shown distinct signs of nervousness even though they have had previous experience driving that size of vehicle. Whatever happened to the duty of care that our government SHOULD display when suggesting or making new laws that clearly have had little consideration given to this aspect.
In a previous occupation as a Police Traffic Officer, some of the levels of driving displayed on our roads by SOME of the current LGV drivers and even today, the thousands of video clips that are available to view of poor driving displayed by all drivers, especially SOME of the current LGV drivers, is it no wonder those in the driver education field, company owners who, if they are so desperate, will be taking on those untrained but new entitled drivers to infill their shortfalls and those who just believe this is not the way forward, think the Government should put this idea in file 13. (Waste bin).
Barry KENWARD, Portchester
--2
Whilst I frequently drove “30 cwt” (1.5 tons) vans and towed caravans in the ‘old days’, I had a full licence for about 25 years before I needed to hire a 7.5 tonne truck. I still remember getting into the cab of a fairly long truck for the first time on a wet Friday evening at rush hour, thinking about how I was going to navigate the narrow roads out of town until I could get to the relative comfort of the wide open space of the motorway. I wouldn’t think that is a helpful situation for a novice driver to be confronted with.
Manoeuvring the bulk of a ‘proper’ lorry in town with lots of other vehicles and people around does involve a learning curve, driving on the open road was a doddle in comparison.
Pat, Wales
+5
> It points to research from PACTS, which shows that LGVs pose nine times as much risk of death to other road users, compared to cars.
Prior to about 1997, this proposal was the status quo. I would make an educated guess that a considerable majority of people who contribute to this site, professionally or not, would have that grandfathered entitlement on their licence.
I look forward to an organisation such as the ONS or the even IAM publishing research into whether or not requiring drivers to learn the considerable differences between vehicles that have a GVW of up to 7.5T versus cars has had a positive effect.
David Weston, Newcastle upon Tyne
+1