As a result of driver shortages, the government is seeking views on whether the current licensing restrictions for 18- and 19-year-old bus and coach drivers should be amended.
On Friday 6 November, the government announced that they are exploring changes to current licensing rules that stop 18- and 19-year-olds from being drivers for certain journeys.
Currently, teenagers who are 18 or 19 can qualify as bus and coach drivers, however operators are only able to assign them to regular routes of less than 50 kilometres - which makes them less employable.
However, the Department for Transport (DfT), wants to extend the length of routes that teenage drivers can drive, as well as potentially giving them permission to drive for non-regular services such as school trips.
The DfT are considering 3 options for amending licensing restrictions for bus and coach drivers in this age group:
· keep the current restrictions but allow 18- and 19-year-old drivers who undertake additional training to drive non-regular services and regular services over 50km
· remove the current restrictions and require operators to use technology to monitor 18- and 19-year-olds
· remove the current restrictions and publish guidance for 18- and 19-year-old bus and coach drivers and their employers
As well as hoping to alleviate the pressures caused by driver shortages, the DfT is hoping that the licensing changes would provide more job opportunities for young people following the ‘Young people and work’ report which revealed that almost one million young, ages 16 to 24, are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The government has stressed that any licensing changes made would need to balance opportunities for young people and the needs of the sector with maintaining high standards of road safety.
To share your opinion on whether the government should amend licensing restrictions for 18- and 19-year-old bus and coach drivers, please click here.