Unfair picture of national training?
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• I do not feel that Ian Bloomer's "Sound off" (CM 29 Oct-4 Nov) gives a national picture of the quality of LGV training, or for that matter the quality of LGV testing.
Since 1969 the whole scene of LGV and PCV training has changed dramatically, and mostly for the better. In 1987 when Peter Bottomtey allegedly said: "It is not correct to say that the IIGV test is taken on a vehicle which is unlike the type or size which would be driven subsequently,' a survey was done with senior LGV and PCV examiners to find out if they were happy with the quality of training in their areas. Some expressed dissatisfaction but the majority were quite happy with the standards of training and it was decided to keep the status quo. Let's not forget they are the people who are in the best position to judge an instructor's training performance.
Mr Bloomer is quite right to point out that novice drivers should not be allowed to teach, we all agree with that, and serious cases of advertising misrepresentation can and should be properly dealt with through the Advertising Standards Association or local Trading Standards Office.
To suggest that a properly run LGV/PCV school finds it difficult to compete with "unregistered instructors" using pub car parks for manoeuvring is definitely a local problem for him — I'm sure this is not a national trend.
Any school that employs incompetent instructors is behaving extremely irresponsibly and any action we can take to stop the practice is necessary, and quickly. But remember we do have the best safety record of LGV and PCV drivers in Europe and that surely means we have a reasonable balance between good quality instructors and sensible, well-run test procedures.
It is not easy to pass a properly conducted LGV or PCV driving test and never was ask the thousands of skilled drivers who service our industry today who didn't pass first time and I feel sure they will agree. W Wilford
Managing director, Kent Metro, Rochester, Kent.
Why no Renaults in the NEC report?
In your NEC Show Report "Birmingham Lights" (CM 29 Oct-4 Nov) I could find no mention of Renault vehicles.
As I believe Renault vans are among the most popular
in Europe I find this omission most mystifying. Was Renault at the show, and if so why was there no mention of its products?
I have no connection with Renault other than being a very satisfied user of its cars over many years and I admire the French firm's commitment to keeping open its Dunstable factory and providing jobs for British workers.
D J Smith
Hinckley, Leicestershire,
El Yes Renault was there, but it did not exhibit any new products, Ed.
Commercial Motor welcomes readers letters, which can be phoned in on 081-652 3689 (24-hour service). Letters, which should be typed double spaced, may be edited for length and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.