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Logistics UK helps inform sweeping review of HGV driver training
Logistics UK attended the Department for Transport’s first industry stakeholder forum meeting on HGV driver training recently, following the government’s announcement last week that it is undertaking a sweeping review into the Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) regime.
The review will look at how compulsory periodic training requirements for HGV drivers should be developed, aiming to increase drivers’ skill levels, improve public safety, and boost the standard of the training among drivers. It will also explore whether a presumption that employers pay employees for periodic training costs and working time should be reflected in law. Plus, the review will consider whether all drivers should continue within a standard DCPC regime, or whether alternative mandatory training would be more appropriate for some types of driving.
James Firth, Head of Road Freight Regulation Policy, Logistics UK, said: “The first meeting of this stakeholder group was highly constructive, with industry participants keen to help inform this major review into Driver CPC. We will be consulting with Logistics UK members to ensure that we properly reflect the broad range of views on this important issue.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP said he had launched the review into the training rules after listening to industry leaders outline the issues HGV drivers face with CPC arrangements.
“We understand it’s vital for drivers to remain fully qualified,” Shapps said, “but we’re looking to ensure they can do so in the most efficient way possible whilst maintaining road safety standards. No driver should be out of pocket or out of work through no fault of their own.”
As well as seeking to improve compulsory ongoing training for existing and returning HGV drivers, the government will also identify sites for short-term improvements to lorry parking, such as temporary toilets, showers and catering, and has pledged to invest half a million pounds to shift up to 30,000 lorry loads of freight onto rail.
Elizabeth De Jong, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, said: “Logistics UK and its members welcome the review of Driver CPC, to ensure that continuous education for drivers is as effective as possible while upholding all necessary safety requirements. Meanwhile, the extra funding for the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme will help industry to reach net zero emission targets while reducing road congestion.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/skills
Published On: 18/11/2021 16:00:49
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