Lorry driver shortage

[Ffermer Bach]

There is, and always will be a need for low cost labour unless we drastically improve the education standards in the UK. Living off a high-tech economy is all well and good, however you need the labour force to be up to the academic standards to compete globally.

At the moment the UK is way behind it's worldwide competitors, hence the insatiable demand for imported products. If we are really serious about climate change, then Worldwide logistics will need to change, shipping goods all over the planet is not sustainable and the only real conflict of conscience Brexiteer's should have about leaving the Common Market.

Why are we trucking gear here there and everywhere ? What happened to trains and local distribution ?

Our lifestyles have changed beyond comprehension in the last decade, for which supermarkets and the internet have played a leading role.

At the moment China are wiping the floor with it's competitors and will soon become the largest economy in the World, how ? Cheap labour ! and we have played there game and right into there hands.

However, nothing is forever...........

I wanted a new welding inverter, bought one on the interned from Oxford Welding Supplies, arrived the next day, it's hard to remember when, if we wanted something we drove to town and looked in shops to see what they had for sale, or wanted to know something, looked in an encyclopaedia. I was talking to my son about all my books, he said his generation don't use books, they look on the internet. I commented, that you can only do that, if you know what you are looking for, a book can tell you things that you had no idea even existed (and that is without even thinking about the powers that be, controlling what comes up on a search).

Talking to son this morning, and he commented that some companies aren't looking at qualifications any more, rather they are doing their own testing for critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork for recruitment (as our education system only teaches us to pass exams). I keep banging on too that we need to improve FE and training to OND/HND technician and trade level. It's a disgrace the way all the money goes to universities.

 

[Kidds]

After 34 years of farming I've made the decision to leave the industry. Had a few sleepless nights worrying about it.

I'm not old enough to retire. I'm going to do ground maintenance and landscaping.

People love ex farmers doing such work because generally they have a work ethic and work rate about twice what others have.
Good luck, did similar myself and no regrets at all.

 

[had e nuff]

People love ex farmers doing such work because generally they have a work ethic and work rate about twice what others have.
Good luck, did similar myself and no regrets at all.

Thats exactly what they said. Only downside to ex farm is the lack of tickets, which they are going to pay for me to do.

 

[tepapa]

People love ex farmers doing such work because generally they have a work ethic and work rate about twice what others have.
Good luck, did similar myself and no regrets at all.

Chap in the village that does a bit of civil ground work type stuff said the same. Farm lads encounter a problem and solve it. Town workers ring you up at the first obstacle to find out what to do next.

 

[thesilentone]

Chap in the village that does a bit of civil ground work type stuff said the same. Farm lads encounter a problem and solve it. Town workers ring you up at the first obstacle to find out what to do next.

Mobile bxxxdy phones stop some people thinking !!

One of our lads was chopping one day and rang me to say one of the rear guards was vibrating quite badly.

My response was (the clean version) "maybe worthwhile stopping for a minute and looking to see what's causing the vibration, and if anything's wrong, then call me"

Didn't get another call, turns out the guards bolts were loose, and that's it !!

 

[Lincs Lass]

Action at last ,,just came up on FB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/771...MpTxX1xuwAENptbjeob2-WPKPUYBsrC40&__tn__=,P-R

Changes to licences - News from the DVSA:
Changes to tests will come into force as soon as possible. They follow a public consultation over the summer, which saw thousands of respondents, including industry leaders, support the move as a positive step to help the sector tackle the lorry driver shortage currently affecting countries around the world.
These changes will not change the standard of driving required to drive an HGV, with road safety continuing to be of paramount importance. Any driver who does not demonstrate utmost competence will not be granted a licence. All car drivers will also still be encouraged to undertake training to tow trailers and caravans.
We’ve already delivered 50% more tests than were available before the pandemic, but today’s additional measures will deliver yet more tests.
Public feedback on the consultation proposals
The consultation received over 9,500 responses and most respondents supported the proposals.
We’ve analysed the responses and published a summary of the public feedback on these proposals on GOV.UK
We will publish a full consultation report in due course.
Staging of lorry and bus and coach licences and tests
Under the new proposals, learner lorry drivers will be able to take an articulated lorry test without the need to pass a rigid lorry test first once the legislation has changed.
Likewise, learner bus and coach drivers will be able to take a bus and coach test with a trailer, rather than having to pass a test without a trailer first.
This will not change the standard of driving required to drive a lorry.
Legal processes must be followed, and if completed successfully, we expect the regulations will be amended as soon as possible.
We encourage you to talk to your pupils who have a rigid lorry or a coach and bus test booking about these changes so they can make an informed decision about their upcoming test. They may wish to wait for the legislation to change.
You will not be able to change the booking to an articulated lorry test or bus and coach test with a trailer for these customers until the revised legislation has come into force.
You will still be able to book a rigid lorry test and a bus and coach test without trailers following this change.
Trainers conducting the manoeuvres assessment in vocational driving tests
In the future, the off-road manoeuvres part of vocational tests will be assessed by DVSA-approved vocational trainers.
These manoeuvres will be assessed at the vocational trainer’s off-road area before the on-road test with DVSA.
We will work closely with the industry on these plans and keep you updated.
Cars towing a trailer
Drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 can already tow a car and trailer without taking a car and trailer test.
As a result of these changes, all car drivers will be able to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500kg without the need for an additional test when the law is changed, which will be as soon as possible.
Until then, car drivers who gained their licence after 1 January 1997 will only be able to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500kg if they display L plates and are supervised by a driver aged over 21 who has had a car and trailer licence for 3 years or more or passed their car test before 1 January 1997.
To make more lorry tests available, DVSA will not be carrying out any car and trailer tests from 20 September.
We’ve published detailed guidance about the new rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car that will apply until the law changes and what you’ll be able to do when the law has changed.
If you have car and trailer tests booked and named
If you have car and trailer tests booked and named taking place from 20 September 2021, we encourage you to explain to your pupils that they cannot take a test because the law is changing later in 2021.
If you have tests booked and named taking place before 20 September 2021, you should check with your pupil if they still want to take the test.
For all booked and named tests (including those from 20 September 2021), you must use the service to book and manage driving tests for your pupils to either:
cancel your bookings
rename the test to another pupil who wants to take a car and trailer test before 20 September – your pupil must be ready to take the test
rename the test to another pupil who wants to take a different test-type (for example, category C1) – you’ll need to change the test-type, and your pupil must be ready to take the test
You can call us on 0300 200 1122 to get help doing this. Press ‘25’ as soon as the recorded message starts to play.
If you have car and trailer tests booked but not named
For all booked car and trailer tests that you have not yet named (on any date), you must use the service to book and manage driving tests for your pupils either:
cancel your bookings
change the booking to another test-type (for example, category C1) when you name the test
You must do one of these before the date of the test.
If you cancel the booking giving less than 3 full working days’ notice, you’ll lose your fee. Monday to Saturday count as working days but Sundays and public holidays do not.
Encouraging drivers to tow safely
We will continue to encourage car drivers wanting to tow to seek professional training before towing a trailer with their car.
You can also signpost your pupils to our towing guidance

 

[kiwi pom]

Thats exactly what they said. Only downside to ex farm is the lack of tickets, which they are going to pay for me to do.

Did you have your own farm or work for others?

 

[michael N123]

 

[had e nuff]

Did you have your own farm or work for others?

We had our own farm till 2 years ago. Been self employed milker for last 2 years.
Was doing 6 plus hours a day in the pit split shift and just got bored I guess. Plus the 5 am starts were getting too much.

 

[caveman]

View attachment 984982

So when did all these things become separate disciplines?
All makework was it?

When I took my class 1 hgv test and passed it, it covered all categories of trucks and lesser vehicles.
The examiner even asked me if I needed a docket to obtain my full car licence also (which I already had), as one could drive hgv1 provisionaly whilst only having a provisional "car" licence.

 

[CPF]

Ros Atkins on... lorry driver shortages https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58521211
Very good summary of it .

 

[kiwi pom]

Ros Atkins on... lorry driver shortages https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58521211
Very good summary of it .

Seemed a pretty balanced piece that.
It does show how efficient the transport industry has been over the years, everyone has taken it for granted, now things are changing a bit and companies can't rely on the fact someone will always do the work for a lower rate any more.

 

[TheTallGuy]

So when did all these things become separate disciplines?
All makework was it?

When I took my class 1 hgv test and passed it, it covered all categories of trucks and lesser vehicles.
The examiner even asked me if I needed a docket to obtain my full car licence also (which I already had), as one could drive hgv1 provisionaly whilst only having a provisional "car" licence.

I think it changed around '97. It wasn't so much that they became separate disciplines, just that you couldn't do the trailer/articulated (+E) element of any category until you held the rigid element. Passing a test in the higher categories automatically confers equivalent rights in lower ones - so getting +E in 7.5 ton (C1) confers the same rights to 3.5 ton (B) & likewise getting +E/Class 1 on C confers +E to C1 & B. Likewise, getting a full C (Class 2) ticket automatically gives C1 (7.5 ton) rights.

Under the new scheme it appears that +E will automatically be given to B licences & there will be no requirement to hold a full rigid ticket before doing trailer/articulated for either C or C1.

 

[Courier]

View attachment 984982

So how much experience will a newly qualified driver need before insurance rates will allow him to drive solo, or will the "5 years experience" be abandoned as well...

 

[Devil's advocate]

So when did all these things become separate disciplines?
All makework was it?

When I took my class 1 hgv test and passed it, it covered all categories of trucks and lesser vehicles.
The examiner even asked me if I needed a docket to obtain my full car licence also (which I already had), as one could drive hgv1 provisionaly whilst only having a provisional "car" licence.

Need these chaps here

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

So how much experience will a newly qualified driver need before insurance rates will allow him to drive solo, or will the "5 years experience" be abandoned as well...

Good question,
I mean how many of you would let a guy just passed his test drive your tractor ?
And insurance will not get cheaper

 

[caveman]

Need these chaps here

?

 

[Werzle]

Easy to see why we are short of drivers now, 70000 couldnt take there test last year because covid restrictions didnt allow examiners in the cab with people doing the driving test. Plus 15000 foreign drivers went home for various reasons = perfect storm. I saw recently that one timber frame company advertised for a hgv driver and was offering £12/hr which is a disgrace

 

[quattro]

Am I right in understanding you don’t have to do reversing on hgv test now?

 

[Tubbylew]

Interesting video that popped up the other day.