New towing regulations

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

FerlasDave

Full Member
Jun 18, 2008
1,758
529
Off the beaten track
I’ve just read that the regulations for towing are changing soon. Those that passed their test post 1997 will now be allowed to tow up to 3.5 ton gvm, so caravans and larger trailers etc. I believe this is in a bid to try and get more HGV drivers on the road do to a shortage, but

I’m not sure it’s the best move, as someone who has failed the B+E test will now get a free pass.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: TeeDee

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,691
710
-------------
Yeah, thats another vote for it just being a sticking plaster to cover for Brexit causing a lorry driver shortage.
One of the local builders merchants was using an Arnold Clarke hire van to deliver plywood sheets the other day and thats a first.
 

Macaroon

A bemused & bewildered
Jan 5, 2013
7,209
362
73
SE Wales
Yeah, thats another vote for it just being a sticking plaster to cover for Brexit causing a lorry driver shortage.
One of the local builders merchants was using an Arnold Clarke hire van to deliver plywood sheets the other day and thats a first.
Did he have an armed escort? He'd need one around these parts.....
 

demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,691
710
-------------
Did he have an armed escort? He'd need one around these parts.....
Aye, plywood sheet price has shot up a LOT as well.
Oddly enough, we're still building despite this huge increase in cost of materials so the extra money must have been in the system somewhere before the increase.
Remember that when people say there's not enough to put yer wages up...
 

Robbi

Full Member
Mar 1, 2009
10,226
1,027
northern ireland
All the instructors and testers doing car and van towing tests can now be redirected to HGV instruction and testing, it'll be a bit slow but it will help.

Over here all the " white van man" delivery drivers are being offer free HGV instruction and tests by the big supermarket chains, resulting in a shortage of local delivery drivers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TeeDee

Robbi

Full Member
Mar 1, 2009
10,226
1,027
northern ireland
Turns out you won’t even need a licence for a smaller vehicle to drive HGVs.


Wow! That would appear to make it quite easy to get an HGV license, the lack of skills could be quite worrying with such a large vehicle.
 

FerlasDave

Full Member
Jun 18, 2008
1,758
529
Off the beaten track
Wow! That would appear to make it quite easy to get an HGV license, the lack of skills could be quite worrying with such a large vehicle.

Im more worried about all the folk that will now be pulling horse boxes and larger trailers. At least a hgv driver is accountable to a firm.

In fact, I wonder how many firms would actually not hire someone that has obtained their licence this way…
 

Countryman

Native
Jun 26, 2013
1,652
74
North Dorset
Most firms want a couple years experience as insurance on 100,000 quids of wagon is a consideration.

Apparently industry was short 80,000 HGV drivers before Brexit. 20,000 going home has triggered the issue. Bidding on an agency driver starts at £350 a day. HGV drivers have been getting walloping pay rises.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kadushu

SaraR

Full Member
Mar 25, 2017
1,631
1,177
Ceredigion
I guess someone with a pre-1997 licence could still have about 20-25 years left before retirement, but I'm not sure enough people in that age bracket and older would want to swap careers to lorry driving. Wouldn't it be better to focus on attracting younger people into the sector and on how to keep the drivers you've got?
 
  • Like
Reactions: FerlasDave

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE