We recently brought you news that the UK government was considering relaxing the rules that currently require anyone wanting to tow a trailer or caravan over a certain weight to take an extra test. Today we can confirm that this is about to come into effect in the very near future with a view to delivering tens of thousands of extra HGV tests per year and tackling the current driver shortage.

Previously, anyone obtaining their driving licence after 1st January 1997 had to take a separate test when driving a vehicle & trailer combo of over 4,250kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or a trailer above 750kg MAM, however, in the near future, that all changes, with all drivers able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM. It’s a move that’s been well received by some, but not from all quarters.

A Wealth of New HGV Talent

According to the Department of transport, this impending change represents something that will allow 30,000 more HGV driving tests to be carried out each year – welcome news for retailers experiencing empty shelves up and down the country.

This is what Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had to say on the matter: “From Inverness to St Ives, HGV drivers are helping to keep the country running, and have been throughout the pandemic. The shortage of drivers is a global problem, but we’ve been taking action here in the UK to help industry leaders attract drivers and build a more resilient sector”.

This change is one of a number of different tactics the government is currently using to turn the tide in the fight against the shortage, however, some – including ourselves at HGVC, have a number of misgivings about the move, as it’s effectively making the roads less safe to drive on.

Will The Change Come At the Cost of Safety?

While the relaxation in towing rules will undoubtedly help the HGV industry fight back against the current shortage, there is perhaps not enough attention being paid to safety. Rather than lowering safety standards – which is what this move does – they should be being improved, not reduced.

We feel that despite the imminent rule changes, companies should still put their staff through B+E (trailer towing) training if they’re going to be doing so as part of their job. Regardless of the fact that it’s no longer a legal requirement, doing so will maintain safety, as well as lowering insurance costs and improving the reputation of your company.

A ‘Dead Zone’ Is Created After September 20

At HGVC, we will still be providing this training with a new competency certification and while there will be no more B+E tests after 20 September, the law isn’t going to be changing until an as yet undetermined date. What this does is create a ‘dead zone’ where no new drivers can tow a trailer until the law actually changes.

Essentially, what we’re talking about is a change that may lead to more accidents occurring on the road and while we might not be completely happy about what’s to come, we understand that it’s going to happen anyway. So, we’ll continue to uphold the highest standards of HGV instruction regardless, so that companies that want to maintain current towing standards are able to.

Continuing to Support the Industry With High Quality Training

The fight against the HGV driver shortage is an ongoing one and we will likely see more measures like this one to boost the UK’s available driving talent. At HGVC, we are continuing to offer high quality licence acquisition programs of all sizes to empower businesses and keep the wheels of UK commerce turning.

If you would like to know more about what we do at HGVC and how we do it, take a look around our website where you’ll discover everything you need to know and more. Alternatively, should you wish to discuss your training needs with our team, give us a call on 0330 818 8888 or click on ‘contact us’ and drop us a line to discuss your requirements.