Call for Evidence - UK Driving Licensing

12 August 2022

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the subsequent HGV driver shortage crisis, the UK government rapidly put 33 actions into place to address the circumstances that had arisen.

Eight of these actions came from expanding the HGV driver testing capacity and improving the licensing process. The licensing improvements were achievable partly due to the fact that UK had left the European Union and had the freedom to change its legislation to improve its testing and licensing regime. The Ggovernment now wishes to explore whether there are any further opportunities that could be available.

A recently issued call for evidence includes seeking evidence on the ecoonmic benefits of widening the recruitment pool for medium-sized goods vehicles and minibus drivers, which may attract more people to the industry and support economic growth by further strengthening our supply chain.

It is clear that, prior to 1997, new drivers of any age had the freedom to drive a wider variety of vehicles, including cars with trailers. the Department for Transport and government are seeking opinions on reverting to these ‘grandfather rights’.

Without being prescriptive, there are opportunities to explore whether drivers of other vehicles need to have certain periods of experience of road use in a car, or be of a certain age. Any changes would need to ensure continued safe use of our roads and be economically proportionate. Government does not have all the answers and, to be very clear, we have not made up our minds to do any of this.

We urge all with the appropriate knowledge to respond to this important consultation.