Across the media we have seen reports of the truck driver shortages and the impact this has had on many supplies across the UK. Queues at petrol stations, food shortages of certain brands within supermarkets and restaurants short of stock. The last 2 years have been turbulent for many reasons across the UK and within the trucking industry.
As reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Brexit has had a major impact on the moving of goods in and out of the UK. In Q1 (January to March) imports and exports fell by 24.2% in comparison to 2019. Brexit alongside the coronavirus pandemic imposing national lockdowns and travel restrictions the trucking industry has suffered. 42.5% of businesses reported the pandemic as the main cause of change in comparison to Brexit 13.9%, between May and June 2021. A Road Haulage Association (RHA) survey has reported there is a shortage of more than 100,000 qualified drivers within the UK.
In an effort to try and reduce pressures caused by the pandemic and Brexit the UK government have made changes to driving licences and tests for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) work. With the aim of increasing the number of qualified HGV drivers, there will be roughly 30,000 more HGV driving tests available to book. Resulting in individuals being able to gain their licence and enter their chosen industry quicker.
Changes To Licences And Tests
Changes were made on the 15th of November and are applicable to people who have a provisional lorry licence that was issued before this date. For a HGV license, you can now learn and take you test in a large articulated lorry (category CE). However, this is still optional, and you are still able to use a category C lorry if you wish. Furthermore, changes also apply to medium-sized lorries towing a trailer (category C1E).
Once you have successfully passed your test, your choices have increased. You are now allowed to drive:
- a medium-sized lorry (C1)
- a medium-sized lorry towing a trailer (C1E)
- a large rigid lorry (C)
- a large articulated lorry (CE)
How Has The Test Changed?
To ensure a quicker process for people to enter their chosen industry, tests have now been made shorter. Additionally, the ‘reversing exercise’ and ‘uncoupling and recoupling’ element of the test will now be tested separately by a third party.
Macs Trucks Rental
If your company is having to react to increased demand and lead times, Mac’s Truck Rental can help. If you are hiring more truckers and expanding your fleet, we can supply a vast range of HGV vehicles suitable for every industry. Offering short-term and long-term commercial truck hire, enabling you to take full advantage of the new HGV licence changes.
Our fleet includes beavertail hire, skip lorry hire, crane truck hire, and hook loader hire. In a variety of sizes across multiple jobs for instance 7.5 tonne lorry hire we have the right solution for you. With over 50 years’ worth of experience, expertise, and knowledge, get in touch today.