In a televised announcement on February 22nd, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a four-step roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown for the United Kingdom. Further to this, the DVSA has also announced that car and HGV practical driving tests will recommence from April 12th as part of step two of the government’s ‘reopening’ strategy.

The DVSA stated that the 12th of April as the earliest date from which theory and practical tests will resume, which will come as welcome news to the thousands of learner drivers and those aiming to continue their HGV driver training. After suffering long lockdown-related delays, they will finally be able to get back to their training in earnest.

Vocational Testing of Particular Importance

The UK’s growing HGV driver shortage has been exacerbated by lockdown with students being effectively barred from training because of the shutting down of vocational testing and the medicals required to obtain a provisional licence. This is something that David Wells, Chief Executive of Logistics UK wrote to Transport Minister Baroness Vere about earlier this month.

In the letter, Mr Wells proposed the introduction of rapid testing for candidates and examiners and a prioritisation of vocational testing over car tests. Baroness Vere’s response was a promising one, as she stated that DVSA was in the process of investigating ways in which testing could be deployed more quickly for frontline staff.

Maximising the Examiner Resource Pool

Part of the DVSA’s plans that fall in line with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown involves maximising the current pool of examiners in the United Kingdom. A DVSA spokesperson said “Overtime will be offered to examiners, as well as the possibility of buying back annual leave. Testing out of hours and on public holidays is also something that is being looked at”.

What’s also proposed is the greater use of delegated examiners in the logistics and haulage sector to provide the extra capacity needed to expedite the training of HGV drivers and front line personnel that are so much in demand.

Keeping the Country Moving

Lockdown has been a trying time for many over the last 12 months and this announcement is an exciting one for those in the haulage industry and anyone looking to enter it. At HGVC, we are very much invested in helping to assist the next generation of HGV drivers enter the UK job market.

Our expertise and experience allows us to transform driver training progress, providing guidance and assistance with every aspect from initial checks to practical test support. With our team on your side and game-changing features like our online portal and training dashboard, you get a full, real-time view of your entire training setup.