The HGV driver shortage continues… with the government relaxing test rules
The haulage industry has expressed concern that the HGV driver shortage is set to affect the Christmas season.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has appealed to the government to add HGV drivers to the UK’s skilled worker occupation list, but there has been no movement on that front.
Since Brexit, the industry has lost thousands of EU drivers that fulfilled the role of transporting goods to depots, stores, and customer’s homes.
Approximately 2,000 drivers are leaving each week, with just 1,000 new recruits joining to replace them, meaning that the deficit is only increasing.
The RHA has estimated that the shortage is around 70,000 currently, with supermarkets, restaurants, and the hospitality industry feeling the pinch.
Empty shelves and limited menus have been commonplace in recent weeks, with the perfect storm of Brexit and the pandemic causing a significant shortage of HGV drivers in the UK.
What is the current situation?
Tests for fleet drivers on UK roads are set to be relaxed in a bid to help tackle a significant driver shortage, with concerns being raised over the safety of the decision.
The decision by the Transport Secretary has been prompted by gaps on supermarket shelves because deliveries have not been made on time.
Decisions were made to allow longer journeys before lorry drivers must take a rest period. The government has stated that it made the decision quickly due to the increased sovereignty following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
The easing of rules has drawn criticism from some quarters. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) has condemned any attempt to “water down” the rules, while the Labour party has said that it is “deeply concerned” by the plans.
How did we get here?
Industry experts have been warning of a driver shortage for years, with the workforce made up of a combination of older drivers and EU-based drivers, meaning that there hasn’t been the supply of younger drivers to replace them as they retire or leave.
The issues have been exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic, with driver shortages due to EU drivers leaving and self-isolation rules resulting in empty shelves and supply chain difficulties.
Industry experts are now warning that despite the government’s relaxation of testing rules and extension of working hours without the need for a break, the Christmas period is going to be hit by the driver shortage.
Because the industry is losing around 1,000 drivers per week that aren’t being replenished, and the fact that it takes 12 weeks to obtain a C1 driving licence, it means that the backlog for a new driver to start is approximately 16 weeks.
But concerns have been raised about the safety of allowing new drivers behind the wheel of HGVs without the rigorous testing they’re usually subject to before beginning their role.
Are your drivers feeling pressure to keep up with demand? What are you doing to make sure they take their breaks? Let us know how you’re handling this issue at [email protected].
