CM report on LGV tests

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
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The number of new drivers taking and passing LGV tests has fallen again, according to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

Its latest data shows that 43,589 people took an LGV test (comprising category C+E and category C) in the year to 31 March 2013, representing a 1.3% decline (2011/12: 44,173).

The pass rate (category C+E and category C combined) slipped 0.6% to 22,692 (2011/12: 22,835).
Test and pass figures for the 2011/12 period represented the first increase in those both taking and passing their LGV tests in seven years. As recently as 2008/09, 86,826 tests (both C and C+E) were taken, with 39,220 passes.

Last month, Skills for Logistics warned that there could be a driver shortage next autumn because of the September Driver CPC deadline pushing part-time and semi-retired drivers out of the sector just as they are needed for demand.

Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), told CM: “There is no doubt in my mind that action needs to be taken this year to avoid problems next autumn.

"The figures for existing drivers taking Driver CPC training and new drivers taking both the LGV driving tests and the CPC Initial Qualification suggest that there will be problems after next year’s September deadline,” he said.

He added that the RHA would be calling on the government to fund research on the issue so that the scale of the problem can be identified and action taken.

DSA data shows about 120,000 drivers (including PCV licence holders) are yet to begin Driver CPC training as part of their acquired rights.

LGV tests
Taken Passed*
Category C 30,710 15,740
Category C+E 12,879 6,952

Taken Passed**
Category C 31,480 15,854
Category C+E 12,693 6,981

*1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013
**1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012

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Well they have to fill the pages of Commercial Moaner with something.

Complete bumwad, the whole publication. The sooner it goes web-only, the better.

3

Ah, the old “driver shortage” chestnut. This gets wheeled out every so often, and has indeed been trotted out ever since I first started driving, and I imagine that it’ll continue to be long after I’m dead and buried.

I don’t dispute for one second that certain companies struggle to get (or retain) drivers, but instead of blaming it on a non existant shortage maybe they should take a long hard look at themselves, and maybe then they’ll realise that there are plenty of drivers around, they just don’t want to work for ■■■■ taking firms!

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My thoughts exactly, someone is short of something to write about, what a load of ■■■■■■■■…!

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If the money reflected the actual job there wouldn’t be any shortage talk at all.

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Reed Boardall!!

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Would it not be better if these jobs were not all advertised through a multitude of Agencies, perhaps here wouldn’t be such a shortage of drivers.

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Dogsbody:
Reed Boardall!!

Another is Jewsons! What a shower of sh… their transport system is!

9

Oh dear, oh dear, the Road Jelly Association having another wobble scared its members might have to consider some incentives (like decent pay and conditions) to keep and encourage drivers; rather than putting a stop to the race to the bottom for haulage rates. When it tells the multi-nationals and the blue chips that the rate is £x per mile or the goods stay where they are, it might have some credibility.