Paphos Life

Apparently, we're going to get more HGV drivers more quickly by making some reductions to certain parts of the driving test:

The UK’s stupid Tory government has promised to increase the number of HGV driving tests available in order to relieve the current driver shortage – by eliminating a vital element in which drivers must show they can reverse the vehicle.

Also eliminated are the “uncoupling and recoupling” element for vehicles with trailers.

In addition, car drivers who want to tow a trailer or caravan won’t need to take a test, freeing up a further 30,000 more HGV tests.

https://voxpoliticalonline.com/2021/09/ ... nt-idiotic

I wasn't aware that you had to take a test to tow a caravan or trailer.

We towed a caravan for years, neither my husband or I took a test, and no, we never had an accident, (thank goodness).

Firefly wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:48 pm I wasn't aware that you had to take a test to tow a caravan or trailer.

It is only a requirement if you passed your test after Jan 1st 1997.

Pete

Pete

How odd, why 1997 I wonder.

Jackie

All to do with the combined weight.
http://tow3500.co.uk/

Firefly wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:23 pm Pete

How odd, why 1997 I wonder.

Jackie

From RLK's useful link:

If you passed your test before 1st Jan 1997 you automatically received the “plus trailer” (E) classification, enabling you to tow up to a combined 8,250kg (congratulations you have it easy!)

Firefly wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:23 pm Pete

How odd, why 1997 I wonder.

Jackie

From RLK's useful link:

If you passed your test before 1st Jan 1997 you automatically received the “plus trailer” (E) classification, enabling you to tow up to a combined 8,250kg (congratulations you have it easy!)

I saw a good post on facebook the other day ..... if you can prove you passed your cycling proficiency test, this can now be upgraded to an HGV license!!!

J B wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:03 pm I saw a good post on facebook the other day ..... if you can prove you passed your cycling proficiency test, this can now be upgraded to an HGV license!!!

Nothing would surprise me, even that!

Especially after the first item in the article:

The UK’s stupid Tory government has promised to increase the number of HGV driving tests available in order to relieve the current driver shortage – by eliminating a vital element in which drivers must show they can reverse the vehicle.

How crazy is that? Quite often while in the UK, I have seen HGV lorries delivering goods to supermarkets, sometimes this involves driving on very narrow roads. Turning round when driving an articulated vehicle in a limited amount of space calls for very accurate driving and
reversing... otherwise they can cause significant damage to both other vehicles and nearby buildings... I have watched experienced drivers doing this and have been very impressed with the drivers ability. How an inexperienced driver of an HGV will manage only time will tell.
Watch out other drivers and pedestrians in future...


Dee

My son is an HGV Driver and he said reversing the trailers onto the loading bays is the hardest part of driving a Tractor Trailer Unit.
Nothing surprises me anymore.

‘ However, contrary to how some social media users have interpreted the statement,’

They must be talking about us!

Termites Dream wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:21 pm Quote from article

"The first concerns the way that reversing elements of the test will be conducted. The UK Government’s statement says that the reversing elements of the test will be removed to make the tests shorter. However, contrary to how some social media users have interpreted the statement, would-be lorry drivers will still need to pass the reversing exercise. As the statement from the UK Government explains, the reversing elements will be conducted by a “third party”


https://trans.info/en/uk-government-s-h ... ate-254113

We will see a large number of private companies set up to take advantage of the situation as happened in the Construction Industry when competency courses were introduced.
A nice little earner for some, always a method in their madness.

"How odd, why 1997 I wonder."

It was in 1997 that the Labour party got into power remember that!

People have short memory's where politics is concerned.

Paul

TD
I just can't see why the don't to continue doing it in house, employ the Examiners who are going to test reversing. Are these type of Examiners available or do they have to be trained as well and how long will that take?It would be much simpler to just give HGV Drivers specialist status and they may get some of the Eastern European Drivers to return but I think "loss of face" is stopping the government from doing that.

Paul wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:07 am "How odd, why 1997 I wonder."

It was in 1997 that the Labour party got into power remember that!

People have short memory's where politics is concerned.

Paul

What the hell has politics got to do with the subject? The ruling in question came into force on 1 January 1997 and there is nothing whatsoever political about the subject or its date. Your intervention is a cheap non-sequitur.

There is of course a pan European shortage of HGV drivers at the moment. Romania , for example,has a shortage of some 20,000.
There are varying reasons for the shortage in the UK which was until recently carrying a shortage of 45,000 roles. During the last couple of years the pandemic, Brexit and the strict implementation of IR35 has increased the deficit to 90,000 some 15,000 of which are Eastern European drivers that have returned home for varying reasons.

IR35 wasn't introduced until April 2021 so I wouldn't think it would have much affect amongst drivers deciding to return home. Most drive through Agencies so work PAYE. I know my son used to do alot of Agency Work and paid tax and insurance. Many returned home as they didn't like the aggressive behaviour after the referendum.
Just for Paul, the test for towing trailers was introduced on 1st January 1997 and Labour were voted in on 1st May 1997.
I think it was a great idea whoever introduced it, had quite a few near misses with caravans over the years.

Devil wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:15 am

Paul wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:07 am "How odd, why 1997 I wonder."

It was in 1997 that the Labour party got into power remember that!

People have short memory's where politics is concerned.

Paul

What the hell has politics got to do with the subject? The ruling in question came into force on 1 January 1997 and there is nothing whatsoever political about the subject or its date. Your intervention is a cheap non-sequitur.

The decisions being made are made by whatever political party is in power. Therefore, politics is perfectly relevant. In Paul's case, he got it wrong. He assumed Labour was to blame (if blame is needed), whereas, as has been pointed out, it happened under the Tories.

Are you still sulking because so many people called you out for your guff on the other thread?

IR35 came into existence in 2000 and has been repeatedly tweaked to try and capture more taxation. The latest tweak is for SMB's and really kicked in during April 2021. However, the Treasury have been clamping down on Private Ltd Companies since 2015, especially and from my own experience, in regard to securing contracts through Agencies. There are lots of hoops to jump through and the notion, however slight, that you may be 'Supervised' in any way shape or form during the operation of the contract will nullify your claim to be 'self-employed'. It was this treasury activity that led lots of 'self-employed' European truckers to call it a day and return home. As reported in various trade papers and organisations.