Trailer Test to be Abandoned

[Caol Ila]

If they'd done this back in 2016 or early 2017, I could have justified a pick-up truck instead of the Yeti.

Next car I get....Hilux, here I come!

 

[snowcloud]

I’m wondering if there will be any benefit to those that passed their B+E for example, insurance or something or other? I also feel incredibly sad for those that have built up their livelihoods to support those completing b+e. Feels like quite a u-turn!

 

[PSD]

I wonder (optimistically) if this might bring down the second hand value of 3.5t boxes a bit? ...on the basis that there’s now another option for those not wanting to do a test of some kind.

They do seem to be coming down price wise anyway, so perhaps this will push them down more. I’d prefer a 3.5 over a trailer, means I don’t have to swap my car!

 

[Fruitcake]

My understanding is that once the test is scraped you can tow exactly what pre 97 and b+e licensed drivers can now.

I don't think it's exactly the same. Pre 1997 can tow a combination up to 8,250kg, whereas post 1997 will be towing a trailer with a MAM of 3,500kg.

 

[TPO]

I don't think it's exactly the same. Pre 1997 can tow a combination up to 8,250kg, whereas post 1997 will be towing a trailer with a MAM of 3,500kg.

I'll double check but I read it that once tests are scraped everyone has the same towing allowances (for want of a better word).

There is no test to allow you to tow more so surely it has to be an equal field?

...away to read gov site again

 

[conniegirl]

I'll double check but I read it that once tests are scraped everyone has the same towing allowances (for want of a better word).

There is no test to allow you to tow more so surely it has to be an equal field?

...away to read gov site again

I think it differs as pre 1997 can drive a 7.5ton vehicle with a trailer where as post 1997 can’t and have to do a separate test to drive a 7.5ton

 

[PapaverFollis]

They really should extend the allowances to make post-97 able to drive 7.5T too, eh? ? That really would put the cat among the pigeons.

 

[Fools Motto]

Did I read somewhere that HGV to-be drivers will not need to learn to reverse? Because making the test easier to pass will mean more drivers passing and the current shortage of drivers rectified?

 

[Melody Grey]

They really should extend the allowances to make post-97 able to drive 7.5T too, eh? ? That really would put the cat among the pigeons.

I’m in!

 

[donkeyindisguise]

Curveball… how is this actually going to solve the problem?

I chose to do my Cat C instead of B+E because I felt more comfortable driving a rigid vehicle. On that logic I figure a lot of the people taking B+E are choosing it over C/C1 for a reason.

So yes, this may free up more test slots but it won’t necessarily mean more people will actually want to do their C/C+E…..
Surely it would be better to give the option to go straight for C+E, a bit like how you can choose between C/C1

just idle thoughts ?

 

[conniegirl]

Surely it would be better to give the option to go straight for C+E, a bit like how you can choose between C/C1

They are doing exactly that! If you read the full thing it is saying you no longer have to do C test before doing C+E

 

[donkeyindisguise]

If I’m honest I didn’t read this link, my comment was based on the summary DVSA posted yesterday

ETA: had a quick read and I still can’t see it, am I being blind? (I’m tired!) ?
Either way, personally I wouldn’t want to do CE so it’s irrelevant but do think doing it this way is more valuable than scrapping the BE and maybe they need to look more into why people aren’t going down that route

 

[conniegirl]

If I’m honest I didn’t read this link, my comment was based on the summary DVSA posted yesterday

ETA: had a quick read and I still can’t see it, am I being blind? (I’m tired!) ?
Either way, personally I wouldn’t want to do CE so it’s irrelevant but do think doing it this way is more valuable than scrapping the BE and maybe they need to look more into why people aren’t going down that route

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-takes-further-action-to-tackle-hgv-driver-shortage

 

[donkeyindisguise]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-takes-further-action-to-tackle-hgv-driver-shortage

Thanks! That seems logical to me ?

 

[luckyoldme]

It's amazing how much attention is being focused on our industry at the moment and how little attention any of us drivers are getting
They speak to the guys in suits who profit from our endeavours but never actually ask drivers why folk don't want to do the job.
Putting drivers through their test quicker might get bums on seats initially but getting them to stay there is another thing.
A typical week involves 3x 15 hour shifts 1x 13 hour and on a Friday you might if you are lucky get a short 10 hour shift. A lot of companies will not understand why you don't want to work Saturdays.
It's 4 nights in the truck parking where you can..that's a total skill in itself and I'm not telling anyone any of my top secret hidey holes.
The showers and toilet facilities are for the most part disgusting...although one or two places are coming up trumps now but they are few and far between.
All medical appointments have to be on a Friday and without fail you find yourself skidding into the surgery with your blood pressure through the roof because you've just made it home in time.
Once they get these young bums on seats they are going to have to think long and hard about how to keep them there because I don't think they are going to put up with the crap we did. In the current climate at last they will have to listen to drivers.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I was thinking that too luckyoldme. It's never just about getting new people in, it shouldn't be. Same with nurses or teachers... the focus is always on recruiting new people where perhaps if the job was actually made more bearable to mere mortals and not requiring of some kind of super-humanity to keep at it for years on end then they wouldn't have to focus so much on getting people through the door! How many people are out there with all their driving qualifications but doing something else because they couldn't stand the pressures of the work? Or the toilets!

 

[ycbm]

LoM until I "met" you on here, I thought 15 hour shifts and 58 hour weeks were illegal for HGV drivers. I'll bet that's true of most people.
.

 

[luckyoldme]

LoM until I "met" you on here, I thought 15 hour shifts and 58 hour weeks were illegal for HGV drivers. I'll bet that's true of most people.
.

I actually did 58 hours last week because I had a new planner and it takes a while to learn how to run a driver..it's the shortest week Ive had in 3 years. Normally I'm doing 65.
The rules were originally designed as a maximum but they are viewed by most employers as a target.
They have trackers and computer programmes that tell them how many hours you have left. I always use my 15s up by Wednesday but last week it was strange ..I had a 15 and a 10 hour drive left for Friday which is amazing!
When I first started it wasnt unheard of to work for companies that were '99% legal' and we've all got our personal record of how long we stayed awake for.

 

[luckyoldme]

I was thinking that too luckyoldme. It's never just about getting new people in, it shouldn't be. Same with nurses or teachers... the focus is always on recruiting new people where perhaps if the job was actually made more bearable to mere mortals and not requiring of some kind of super-humanity to keep at it for years on end then they wouldn't have to focus so much on getting people through the door! How many people are out there with all their driving qualifications but doing something else because they couldn't stand the pressures of the work? Or the toilets!

Or lack of toilets. I got parked up for 15 hours last Monday with no toilets or showers...it really gets to you when your planner parks you up somewhere like that then goes off home to have a bath!

 

[ROG]

It is legally possible to do 84 hours in a week as a LGV driver
Week 1
15+15+15+13+13+13 = 84
Week 2
15+15+15+13+13 = 71
Repeat the two weeks above