DRIVING TESTS IN 1968
Page 19
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Qualification of six months for h.g.v. drivers
By SAM BUCKLEY SPECIAL tests for drivers of heavy goods vehicles—over three tons unladen and all articsare expected to be introduced in the latter half of 1968—as indicated in Section 19 of the Road Safety Act 1967.
These h.g.v. driving tests will apply only to those who have not had six months' driving experience of this class of vehicle—in aggregate—during the previous 12 months, although it is estimated that there are about lm. h.g.v. drivers in Britain.
It is considered that it would not be a practical proposition to undertake h.g.v. driving tests entirely on the public highway so certain manoeuvres will be taken instead at centres set up specially for the purpose.
In most cases these centres would be alongside, but independent of, the vehicle testing stations which—as already announced—will be located at more than 60 sites throughout the country.
But where additional land is not available to include an adequate area for driving tests other sites have had to be chosen.
A difference compared with the pre-War h.g.v. driving test will be that tests will be undertaken by driving examiners who have special commercial vehicle experience whereas previously the tests were made by vehicle examiners seconded to the job of examining drivers. It is estimated that the h.g.v. driving examiners will number around 100 when the scheme is fully operative.