The government is launching a review that will seek to improve compulsory ongoing training for HGV and bus drivers.

Drivers currently need to undergo 5 days of periodic training every 5 years to ensure they remain fully qualified to drive heavy goods vehicles and buses professionally and up to date with road safety standards.

This training is an EU initiative and is compulsory within what is known as the Driver Certificates of Professional Competence regime.

While its aim is to keep standards high, some drivers are left to pay for the training themselves and are not paid whilst attending their training course. 

Feedback from industry suggests this puts off many drivers who have left the profession from returning.

The review will look at how the process can be updated to reduce the burden on drivers – both returning and new – and ensure it doesn’t act as a barrier to working in the sector, as the government continues to bolster supply chains and tackle the global driver shortage here in the UK.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We understand it’s vital for drivers to remain fully qualified – but we’re looking to ensure they can do so in the most efficient way possible whilst maintaining road safety standards. No driver should be out of pocket or out of work through no fault of their own.”

The government is also identifying sites for short-term improvements to lorry parking, and investing £500,000 to move additional 29,000 lorry loads of freight to railways.