DOT to consult on licence 'madness'
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Miles Brignall • The Government's plan to allow holders of rigid licences to drive artics from January 1997 is going out to consultation following an outcry from the training industry.
Under the European Commission proposal drivers who have held the old Class 2 and 3 licences since 1 April 1991 are to be given the C+E (artic) status from next year.
Last week at a standing committee examining the changes emanating from the EU directive, Transport Minister Steven
• Anyone who wants to contribute to the consultation process should write to John Gansler at the Department of Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Morsham St, London SW] P 4DR.
Norris seemed unaware of the impact of such a move. After speaking to officials he conceded the changes were significant and announced the consultation.
The Department of Transport is now investigating how many drivers will be affected.
Driving instructors around the country have been furious since the proposal was first published three weeks ago (CM 9-15 May).
Jim Thomson of Portsmouthbased Creative Training says: "This plan is absolute madness. It basically means that anyone who has been driving a eighttonne rigid for the past seven years, and may not have even sat in an artic, will be licensed to drive one. What is this going to do for road safety?
"They might as well give driving licences out with packets of crisps," he adds.