Figures released by the Department for Transport revealed that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) carried out 74% more heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving tests between January 1 2022 and March 31, 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
15,194 tests were carried out between January and March 2020, while 26,391 tests were carried out between January and March 2022, an increase of 11,197.
The government introduced changes in late 2021 to simplify the process to become a HGV driver to help deal with the driver shortage.
These included:
- Allowing the off-road part of the lorry test to be carried out by non-DVSA assessors;
- Allowing drivers to take one test to drive both a rigid and articulated lorry;
- Removing the need for drivers to do a separate car and trailer test.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said:
“We took swift action and introduced 33 measures to support our vital freight sector throughout a global driver shortage and maintain our country’s supply chains.
“Those measures worked, with the number of lorry driver tests being taken on the rise, and the sector reporting driver numbers are stabilising.
“We’ll continue to work with the industry to remove any potential barriers to a rewarding, successful career in logistics and boost driver numbers.”
Loveday Ryder, DVSA chief executive, said:
“We recognise the haulage industry keeps the wheels of our economy turning. I want to say thank you to all vocational training providers and our vocational driving examiners for supporting the changes.
“It’s their hard work and commitment that has allowed us to offer an additional 11,197 tests and increase the number of drivers joining the industry.”
