RHA tests proposal gets Dip thumbs down
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HOSTILITY has greeted a Road Haulage Association demand that group training associations should be able to carry out heavy goods vehicle driver testing because of the long delays at many testing centres.
But the idea has been largely condemned by the Department of Transport and Rospa, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
The RIIA has recommended that specified GTAs should be able to test to present standards, but if this is unacceptable then the GTAs should at least be able to carry out the off-the-road testing and manoeuvring.
The 1111A says that its members arc facing increasing difficulties through the drastic reduction or withdrawal of block-booking arrangements for driving tests.
RHA industrial relations and training manager John Cox toldCM: "Clearly there is a shortage of examiners, and the GTAs and the RHA both think that that under the proper controls and standards the GTAs can conduct the tests and help to overcome the shortage."
The GTAs have the facilities and expertise to conduct the tests at virtually no extra cost to the Drip", Mr Cox said.
It would mean doing the training and test under the same roof, but the GTA could have a separate accredited examiner, he suggested.
But Mr Cox admitted that it might be difficult to see if the test was always at the correct standard, although the (;TA could have its approval as an exannnation centre removed if this was not the case.
A DTp spokesman said that the RHA's proposals sounded as serious as when the maximum lorry weight rose from 32.5 to 38 tonnes, and any real movement towards them would probably need debate in the House of Commons.
The DTp would be "very much against" anything on these lines on safety grounds.