Some driving tests might be affected by strike action at times during December 2022 and January 2023.

Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are planning to take strike action at times during December 2022 and January 2023.

The strike action is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.

If you want to change your driving test date now

Not all examiners are PCS union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.

However, you can change your test to another date if you want to.

You must give at least 3 clear working days’ notice to change your test date, or you’ll have to pay again.

What to do if you do not change your test

You should go to your driving test appointment as planned if it’s on the date of strike action, unless DVSA contacts you to tell you not to go.

DVSA will call you to tell you what to do if you’re taking an instructor test including:

• ADI part 2 (driving ability) tests
• ADI part 3 (instructional ability) tests
• ADI standards checks

*****You will lose your fee for the test if you do not go for your appointment, and you’ll have to rebook your test yourself*****

If your driving test cannot go ahead

DVSA will automatically rebook your driving test for you if it cannot go ahead because of the strike action.

You’ll be sent the new details within 5 to 10 working days. You do not need to contact DVSA.

You’ll also be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses.

If your trainer booked your motorcycle or vocational driving test, DVSA will refund your trainer instead. Your trainer will need to book a new appointment for you.

How to claim out-of-pocket expenses

You can claim out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled. You must have turned up for your test to be able to do this.

The application form and guidance tell you what you can claim for.

Claim out-of-pocket expenses for a cancelled driving test.

DVSA is sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

When the strikes will be held

The strikes will affect driving test centres in different parts of Great Britain at different times.

Dates	Areas affected
Tuesday 13 December to Sunday 18 December	North-east England and Scotland
Monday 19 December to Saturday 24 December	North-west England and Yorkshire and the Humber
Wednesday 28 December to Saturday 31 December, and Tuesday 3 January	East of England, East Midlands and West Midlands
Wednesday 4 January to Tuesday 10 January	London, south-east England, south-west England and Wales

The strike action might affect:

• car driving tests
• motorcycle tests
• lorry, bus, coach and minibus driving tests (these are known as vocational tests)
• tractor or specialist vehicle driving test
• approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 (driving ability) or part 3 (instructional ability) tests

Driving tests with private test providers

Your test will not be affected by the strike action if you’re taking it with a private test provider. This includes some:

• Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercise) tests
• Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests

Theory tests

Theory tests are not affected by the strike action and will be taking place as planned.

It has long been argued that one of the barriers to attracting new HGV drivers into the UK’s haulage sector is inadequate roadside facilities. As such, National Highways launched £20m of match funding to improve roadside facilities and security for lorry drivers earlier this year. 

Further to this, the UK government has now announced an additional investment of up to £100m, with road service and truck-stop operators able to bid for a share. This represents welcome news in the industry’s ongoing struggle against driver shortages. 

Funding Launched by UK Roads Minister

The funding was launched on the 24th of November this year by UK Roads Minister Richard Holden on a visit to the Red Lion Truckstop in Northamptonshire. There he referenced ‘The National Survey on Lorry Parking’ which provides evidence of the improvements needed for the nation’s roadside infrastructure. 

The DfT has expressed a commitment to helping the sector meet the government’s long-term targets on HGV welfare facilities and roadside parking. In line with is, the DfT will match as much as 50% of the total capital costs of improvement for small operators (£632k turnover and below) and 25% for larger operators.

“Hauliers & Drivers Are Critical For Our Economy” – Holden

Speaking on the matter, Mr Holden expressed the need for action and the importance of HGV drivers and haulage companies to Britain, stating:

“Hauliers and drivers are critical to keep our economy motoring. But for decades, our truckers have had a raw deal when it comes to decent roadside facilities.

This is why I’m so proud that our government is going to provide match funding support to the industry to boost drivers’ welfare, safeguard road safety and make sure driving an HGV is a really attractive career option by providing the facilities and respect our lorry drivers deserve.”

“A Significant Milestone” – The RHA 

The move was welcomed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), however, they called for more to be done to speed up the process. While the RHA stated that the funding marked a significant milestone in its campaign to improve roadside facilities, ministers were urged to cut the planning red tape involved. 

RHA MD Richard Smith had this to say “We’re pleased to see that service station operators can apply for grants to improve facilities for drivers – the standards at many truck stops are poor so it’s right that the government has shown this commitment.

But thousands of truckers every night are still left without safe and secure places to park. Simplifying planning bureaucracy would help firms develop new sites quicker, which would boost local economies and offer truckers the facilities they deserve.”

A Welcome Development In Attracting New Drivers

This new funding certainly represents a welcome development in attracting new HGV drivers into the industry. The sooner roadside facilities are up to the required standard, the sooner we’ll find it easier to attract new people into the sector. Minimising the necessary amount of red tape would also help the haulage industry that’s been through much in 2022.

As the year’s end draws closer, the Insite team will continue to offer industry-leading, scalable HGV licence acquisition programs for any size of need. Our national network of training centres staffed by some of the most experienced trainers in the business allows us to cater for your requirements, irrespective of size or complexity.

To find out more about us and how we do things, please take a moment to browse our website. Alternatively, to speak to us directly about how we can help you, either click on ‘contact us’ or give us a call on 0330 818 8888 where our friendly experts are waiting to assist.

While there has been some positive news of late regarding the UK’s haulage sector, new government figures have shown that nearly a fifth of transport and storage companies have exhausted their cash reserves. This fact has caused some to worry that a repeat of the Christmas Eve City Link disaster of 2014 may be on the cards.

The figures presented by the government illustrate that almost 1 in 5 (19.2%) have said that they ran out of cash last month (October 2022), with a further 28.4% claiming that they have 3 months of cash reserves or less. Only the education sector showed worse figures, with more than 30% saying they had no cash at all to draw upon.

“Firms Must Not Be Permitted to Fail Before Christmas”

David Jinks, head of consumer research for ParcelHero, has warned that firms should not be allowed to go under in the run-up to Christmas, citing the City Link administration disaster from Christmas 2014 when more than 20,000 parcels went undelivered until well into January the following year. He had this to say on the subject:

“It’s a shock to discover just how significantly transport and storage sector companies have been impacted by the ongoing financial crisis. At such a volatile time, it’s extremely dangerous for companies to have no cash reserves to fall back on to meet short-term or emergency funding needs.”

He went on to claim that the haulage sector was faring as badly as it is because of its competitiveness and reluctance to pass on cost increases to the customer.

“In contrast, 29.6% of manufacturing businesses reported putting up their prices in September, and 38.3% of retailers increased their prices.”

The End to a Challenging Year for UK Haulage 

Much has happened in the UK’s haulage sector during 2022, and while there’s cause for optimism in some areas, this news serves to highlight how fragile the situation is. With so many firms operating so close to the edge, it won’t take much to tip the balance and force these companies into insolvency over the coming months. 

While it’s still at the planning stage, much work has been done in an effort to improve truckstop conditions and attract more people into the industry. Further to that, the ongoing government-funded HGV skills boot camps run by Insite are helping to address the continually reducing number of available drivers. That said, there’s still a lot of work to do. 

A Critical Time In the Lead-Up to Christmas

The lead-up to Christmas 2022 represents a critical time for the UK’s haulage sector, as it will once again be pushed to its limits by consumer demand. Here’s hoping that those haulage companies that running on zero cash reserves are able to make it through this challenging period and out the other side. It needs to happen for the good of the UK’s supply chain.

At Insite, we will continue to offer industry-leading HGV licence acquisition programs via our network of training centres across the UK. Our expertise and scalability allow us to meet any size of need, from single-driver training to large-scale programs. 

To find out more about us and how we do things, take a look around our website or to get in touch, simply call 0330 818 8888 or click on ‘contact us’ today. 

Periodic vehicle checks are part and parcel of life as an HGV driver – something that Insite driver trainees learn early on in their training. However, according to an investigation and subsequent report by leisure company Trackdays.co.uk, commercial drivers in the UK are risking going to prison due to poor maintenance checks. 

Referencing recent DVSA data, the report states that more than 25% of all HGVs and LGVs in the United Kingdom failed vehicle enforcement checks between April and June of 2022. As such, being caught in this way puts commercial drivers and their employees at significant risk of criminal charges being brought that could result in jail time.

39% of HGVs Issued With Immediate Prohibitions

The report illustrated that during this period, 39% of HGV drivers were issued with immediate prohibitions when stopped, with 25% of commercial car drivers suffering the same fate. These penalties are typically issued when serious safety-related faults are found, such as defective brakes, steering problems and tyre defects.

The DVSAs findings on LGV checks were largely similar, with 50% of checks turning up a mechanical issue. The most prevalent prohibition defect for LGVs was worn tyres (16%), with three points being given out per bald tyre – potentially leading to the drivers losing both their licences and their livelihoods. 

Economic Strains Behind the Problem 

What is the reason behind the problem? According to the report, current financial strains are to blame, with the cost of living crisis forcing companies to take the seriously risky step of avoiding basic vehicle maintenance checks. Winter weather is on the way, meaning that by lowering safety standards in this way, lives are being put at risk. 

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy & research, had this to say:

“Inflation and rising costs are hitting everyone at the moment. Putting off simple safety inspections to try and avoid costly expenses can be a short-sighted approach taken by some.

One in three deaths on our roads involve someone driving during the course of work, so there are many lives at stake when safety checks are cut – is that a price worth paying?”

Essentially, safety checks are not something that should ever be avoided, as faulty brakes, tyres or steering can result in accidents. A constant eye needs to be on these elements for a reason, which is why they form an integral part of a commercial driver’s routine. 

Teaching Students the Safe Way to Operate

At Insite, we go to great lengths to teach HGV driver trainees the right and safe way to operate, with daily checks being a central part of their learning. We do this because it’s such an important element and while we understand the financial pressures that many UK haulage companies are under, safety checks should never be skipped, or lives can be lost. 

We’re known as one of the industry’s largest HGV driver training companies, and we operate a nationwide network of training centres via which we can meet any size of HGV licence acquisition demand. To find out more about us and how we do things, take a look around our website or to get in touch, call 0330 818 8888 or click on ‘contact us‘ today.

If you’ve followed Insite blogs throughout 2022, you’ll know that much has been done to address the HGV driver training both by ourselves and the Government. The recent testing capacity increase is evidence of it, but with Christmas looming just around the corner, the true test of the UK supply chain will be over the coming weeks. 

As is the case in most years, the Christmas period puts pressure on training and testing capacity. As such, a long-term, ongoing approach is required if the chronic HGV driver shortage is to be properly addressed, something that both the government and the industry as a whole perhaps need to be reminded of at this time. 

74% Increase in Testing Versus Pre-Pandemic Levels 

The welcome news is that there has been a large increase in HGV driving tests, with official statistics showing that 74% more were conducted between January & March 2022, compared to levels prior to the pandemic. This itself represents a massively positive step in the fight against the shortage and an endorsement of measures introduced over the last 12 months. 

These measures have included amendments that simplify the lorry testing process, such as allowing non-DVSA assessors to carry out the off-road element. It’s also been made easier by the government for drivers to take a single test to obtain their rigid & articulated lorry licence, with more vocational examiners being recruited in areas of highest demand.

Skills Bootcamps Also Having an Impact 

Government-funded HGV driver training skills boot camps run by ourselves as part of the Driver Academy Group have also been making a real impact, with 568 new drivers having recently been added to the pool available in the UK. All of these steps should be applauded, however, we’re far from out of the woods in either the short or long term.

Demand is seasonal, of course, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, which means that the UK’s still limited resources will once again be put under enormous pressure. This will serve as a reminder – if one were needed – that there is still some way to go. There’s much work to be done in terms of recruitment, retention and making the industry appealing as a career. 

Now Is Not the Time For Being Complacent 

There is no mistaking the fact that progress has been made in the fight against the HGV driver shortage, but now is not the time for being complacent. The focus needs to remain on making HGV driver careers more accessible and affordable, with the proposed enhancement of truckstop facilities also helping to attract more talent into the sector. 

At Insite, we’ll continue to play a central role in providing more accessible HGV driver training via our national network of training centres. As one of the industry leaders in this regard, we have the experience, expertise and scalable infrastructure to address any size of HGV licence acquisition requirement. 

To find out more about us and how we work, please take a moment to browse our website which contains everything you need to know. Alternatively, to get in touch to discuss your own driver training needs, either click on ‘contact us’ or call us on 0330 818 8888 today.

Calls have come from the UK’s Road Haulage Association (RHA) to cut the red tape relating to planning rules for new truck stops in order that HGV drivers get increased access to secure and safe facilities by the roadside. The RHA is also lobbying for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to be reformed so that developers get the permission they need faster. 

The amendments called for include the need to reflect national and regional lorry parking requirements, with driver welfare being prioritised. According to the RHA, there is currently a shortage of around 11,000 overnight truck parking stops nationally, compelling truckers to park on industrial estates and in laybys where washing, toilet & food facilities are scarce. 

Scope of Clause 109 Is ‘Too Narrow’ For Its Intended Purpose

At present, local planning authorities refer to Clause 109 when assessing potential new truck stops, which states:

“Planning policies and decisions should recognise the importance of providing adequate overnight lorry parking facilities, taking into account any local shortages, to reduce the risk of parking in locations that lack proper facilities or could cause a nuisance.

Proposals for new or expanded distribution centres should make provision for sufficient lorry parking to cater for their anticipated use.”

The RHA, however, makes the argument that the clause is too narrow for its intended purpose and that local shortage data is hard to determine and reinforces the perception of lorry parking as being a nuisance.

Reflecting the Importance of Road Haulage in the UK 

Essentially, what is being called for is sufficient recognition of the national significance of UK road haulage and the fact that it represents our economy’s backbone. As such, the RHA has put forward the following amendments for the NPPF:

• Both national & regional lorry park space requirements, rather than just local
• Extra infrastructure, as we move to renewable fuels, like hydrogen & electric 
• The requirement to minimise distance travelled 
• Logistics requirements are part of the equation
• The need to cater for driver welfare

The wisdom behind the reforms is that, if accepted, they would compel local planning authorities to take the importance of the haulage industry and driver welfare needs into account when assessing planning applications for new facilities. 

RHA MD Richard Smith had this to say on the matter:

“The planning framework is sadly not fit for purpose, which is why we’re proposing reform. The facilities out on the road for truckers are often poorly kept and unsafe. They should be able to rely on somewhere safe and secure to park overnight with access to clean toilets, showers and decent food.

We’re keen to work with the government to help raise the quality and availability of roadside facilities for our drivers. They deserve better.”

Safety & Comfort Is Key to Attracting New Drivers

At Insite, we support the RHA in calling for an easier planning process for truckstop facilities, as comfort and safety are key in attracting new drivers into the industry. At present, the shortage of adequate facilities is contributing to the shortage of drivers, so the quicker they’re put into the place, the more welcoming and appealing the industry will look. 

In the meantime, we will continue as one of the UK’s largest HGV driver training companies to deliver scalable licence acquisition programs via our national network of centres. To find out more about this, please take a moment to browse our website, which shows you what sets us apart from the competition. 

Alternatively, to speak to us directly about how our driver training can help you andyour business, click on ‘contact us’ or call us on 0330 818 8888 today.