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H.g.v. licence at 18?
Page 27
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• The minimum age for heavy goods vehicle drivers could be reduced from 21 to 18 years if art approach by the Road Haulage Association to the Ministry of Transport is successful. The Association hopes to enlist the assistance of the FTA and the RTITB.
The FTA is soon to consider the matter in committee and it is understood that the outcome is likely to be favourable. A spokesman for the RTITB said that the Board had considered the proposal and saw the main problem as one primarily for the employer and the insurance companies. Provided that the right kind of sensible recruiting was made there was no reason why an 18-year-old could not be just as efficiently trained as a 21-year-old.
Mr. E. Williams, who is the national chairman of the RHA's education and training committee, has long been advancing arguments in favour of an age reduction. He told CM that in the early stages he had experienced fierce opposition to his suggestion but that recently attitudes had been changing. Following an article on the subject in CM October 10 by Mr. Williams, we received numerous letters of support for the proposal from drivers.