Are car tests too soft?
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WHILST AGREEING with CM'S Editorial (CM July 7) that the hgv test is too simple, surely most of your criticisms can also be levelled at the present car driving test? If this was to be made more stringent and to cover more aspects of driving, might this not lead to an increase in overall road safety?
To set the record straight, I am in no way connected with any aspect of hgv driver training but an hgv driver currently employed in multi-drop distribution work. I began learning to drive on my 17th birthday and passed my car test, at the first attempt, before my 18th birthday. I didn't start hgv driving until 1970 when I was 22 and at that time, only an ordinary car driving licence was required. As I didn't qualify for an hgv driving licence by right, I had to take a test to gain my Class 3 licence, in order to continue working. This I did, without having any professional tuition, and again I passed first time, in April 1972.
After a further 12 years, driving a variety of Class 3 vehicles all over England and Wales and occasionally to Belgium, I decided to try and get a Class I licence following an assessment drive, I enrolled for a five-day training course with Commercial Transport Training Ltd of Dunstable. Through the teaching skills of their instructor and five days hard work on my part, I was again successful first time in June of this year.
I would therefore suggest that passing the present hgv driving test is not difficult for anybody, provided that they have sufficient ability and the right mental attitude towards their chosen profession.
I. HARPER Aylesbury Buckinghamshire