At the moment LGV/HGV lorry drivers are in the news almost every day as shortage of drivers is impacting businesses. Some of the headlines you may have read are:
- McDonald’s runs out of milkshakes due to supply chain issues
- Nando’s restaurants close as they run out of chicken
- German confectionery giant Haribo has said it is struggling to deliver its sweets to shops in the UK because of a shortage of lorry drivers.
- Tesco and Iceland bosses warn over Christmas supplies
- Co-operative Group warned that current food shortages were “at a worse level than at any time”
There is estimated to be a shortage of over 100,000 drivers. There are a number of reasons for the shortage of drivers including Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. It is estimated that about 30,000 HGV driving tests did not take place last year because of the pandemic. Even before the pandemic there was a shortage of 60,000 drivers.
The Government has introduced and is considering a number of initiatives with the aim of solving the HGV driver shortage issue. These include:
- Temporarily the number of hours the LGV/HGV drivers can drive is increased to 10 hours a day, twice a week with a maximum of 56 hours per week. This initiative ends at 11:59 pm on 8 August 2021
- A £3000 incentive payment is available to firms hiring apprentices up to 30th September 2021
- The LGV/HGV driver apprenticeship is being offered from 2nd August 2021, which provides funding of £7000
- Increasing the number of LGV/HGV driving tests. Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has already ramped up testing from 1150 pre-Covid passes a week to 1500 a week
- Department of Transport (DfT) is consulting on simplifying LGV/HGV driving tests so that those with provincial licences can move directly to an articulated lorry test without the need to pass a rigid lorry test. This will increase the LGV/HGV pass rate up to 2000 per week.
- The government is considering improvements to driver working conditions like overhauling lorry parking sites to encourage former lorry drivers back
Ruth Wallace of Drivers on Demand says that “with increased paperwork for European journeys, the pandemic, Brexit and driver shortages, these are the toughest conditions she has ever seen in the logistics industry”.
However, Drivers on Demand based in Park Royal, London has been supplying lorry drivers for over 30 years. We can help alleviate your driver shortages and can even supply permanent drivers. Talk to one of our consultants about your driver requirements and we will work hard to meet your needs.
Contact Drivers on Demand – for all your Driver needs – contract, temporary or permanent positions – one call sorts it all
Drivers on Demand, 6 Steele Road, Park Royal, London, NW10 7AR
Click here to email us, Tel: 020 8453 3444, Fax: 020 8453 3445