Response from Logistics UK to new DfT proposals for getting young people into transport

Speaking about today’s announcement from the Department for Transport to allow young people to undertake their theory tests to become an HGV driver before obtaining a provisional licence, Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager for Road Freight Regulation at business group Logistics UK said:

“Allowing young people to start their driver theory training before obtaining their provisional licences will kickstart their route into becoming HGV drivers. However, it is worth remembering that driving a vehicle of this size is a technically challenging occupation, which is highly regulated for a reason, and we will be ensuring as part of the consultation that all the necessary training for qualification as a safe and compliant driver is still achieved before taking to the roads.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.