Obtaining Licences to Drive Heavy Goods Vehicles
Page 56
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An Explanation of the Procedure Which is Being Adopted When Would-be Drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles Apply for Licences. Many Contractors' Lorries Fall Into the Category of Heavy Motorcars
MANY queries are being received Iv' by us as to how a would-be driver of a heavy goods vehicle can learn to drive such a vehicle when he is not allowed to possess the licence and, consequently, is not permitted to take such a vehicle on the road until he has proved to the examiner his ability to drive and control the vehicle.
It is obvious that there must be a constant influx of new drivers for this class of work, not only as regards the driving of ordinary goods vehicles, but also in connection with the control of such appliances as fire-engines. In respect of the latter class of driver, we have been informed by some fire chiefs that they will be compelled to discharge those of their probationers who were expecting to become drivers but who had not yet obtained driving experience.
Help for the Driver.
We think, therefore; that it will help if the points which we give below are studied.
The vehicles in respect of which the special licence is required are : motor tractors, heavy locomotives, light locomotives, heavy motorcars (i.e., weighing over 2-1 tons unladen) and articulated vehicles of all classes. Certain machines, such as locomotives, ploughing engines and tractors used solely for agricultural purposes, are exempt.
A licence lasts for three years and costs 3s., and applicants are expected to provide vehicles on which the tests are to be carried out. Applications for these licences must B38 be made on Form G.H.1 to the licensing authorities in the particular traffic area in which the applicants reside.
It is fully realized that the wouldbe driver of a heavy vehicle may experience considerable difficulty in learning to drive such a vehicle, because the opportunities of learning on such a vehicle on private ground are necessarily few.
The procedure being adopted, therefore, is for a man who already has a licence to drive a motorcar to be given a gruelling test by the examiner on a commercial vehicle approaching the weight of a heavy motorcar and perhaps laden so that the test will be more convincing. Then, if the examiner be satisfied that the driver should be able to make a success of controlling a heavy motorcar, the licence in question will be issued.
There is a suggestion, however, that the first licence should be of a more or less temporary nature; that is to say, subject to revision after the first year, and the driver, at the conclusion of that period, might be required to show how expert he has become in the control of a heavy motorcar.
Firemen Who Wish to Drive.
In the case of firemen who have not yet qualified as drivers of heavy motorcars, into which category most of the larger types of fire-engine necessarily fall, they could be trained on tenders, etc., which fall into the category of motorcars, and could be tested out by the examiners on such =chines, when, if their skill be deemed sufficient, the heavy motorcar licences would be issued.
Once a driver obtains his licence he can continue to extend his driving experience to the actual control of heavy motorcars.
Railways and big trading concerns, who have available private yards, etc., in which vehicles can be manceuvred, could, in addition to permitting the applicants to train on lighter commercial vehicles on the roads, assist them by teaching them to manceuvre the heavier classes in these private areas