A case for TMLs
Page 42
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Could I be allowed to advance my personal opinion on two matters concerning the commercial road transport industry which I believe are co-related and have been highlighted in your excellent publication recently?
The matters in question are TMLs and hgv driving licence tests. On the first, if this is to be dropped by pressure within the industry, it can only be the desire of the consciously incompetent among managements, and I am aware by practical experience, that they are not an inconsiderable number—we have far too many.
Surely this test of competence and knowledge can only benefit the industry, and I know from the many managing directors and managers who have taken part in the TML Courses drganized and carried through by this Group, in co-operation with the colleges concerned in staging them in Manchester and Salford, that they are now more than convinci that the high standard set has benefited the personally and economically.
I would argue in favour of a single qualifyir body to replace the present position of oceal of letters, meaning little, but having read Inn and tacked on personal names, many of whic after having discussed the pertinent matte within the industry with the recipients, leas one convinced that the only value is sodi and certainly doing nothing to lift the imat and practices of the day-to-day operation providing an efficient service to the communit Now to its close relative, the hgv drivii licence test. I would suggest that the par recently constituted and reported in the Cl would have served a much better purpose it had examined the reasons and preparatio carried out, of drivers who have passed ti test—not a concern with a one-in-thr failures, but one like ours with a 95 p cent pass.
Could I make another point? We at th Group are not concerned with a "passing tt test sausage-making machine" doing ever thing by numbers, but on demonstrating firs class driving, based on understanding wl "defensive habits"—carried out confident because they are accepted by the driver as b, ing in his own interests and aimed at givir him professional pride and ability—leave hi with skill way ahead of the MoT Test. Th latter test can then be taken as part of ever day driving and not a special performance on special day, later to be considered necessa history.
There is nothing in the test that any sel respecting driver should be afraid of and tt people advocating a reduction in standard ;alI would ask them to detail what should be It out) are, in my opinion, only advancing th view because of vested interests.
Finally, if drivers have to become profe siona I and tested, maybe someone can enligh en me as to why managers should not alt prove themselves and accept responsibilityi maintain efficiency.
JACK WOOL Group Training Officer, M anchest Transport Training Grou,