Hgv licences okay for the under 21s
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DRIVERS who drive vehicles below 3 tons unladen but over 7.5 metric tons laden will receive a heavy goods vehicle driving licence after January 1 next year even though they are not over 21 years of age.
Confirming a statement by Mr Reg Dawson of the DoE at CM's Fleet Management Conference last week (report, page 43), the DoE has told CM that it is not the intention to prevent young drivers with the necessary experience from con tinuing their present employment.
The required experience is likely to consist of six months spent driving vehicles over 7.5 tonnes laden before December 31, 1975.
Commenting on the implications of the legislation which will be necessary to implement the new driving licence proposals, Mr Gordon Astbury, training office, hgv, RTITB, expressed satisfaction that young drivers) would receive an hgv licence to enable them to continue their employment but admitted to some misgivings about the complications which could arise from the legislation.
Unable to be sure of the Department's intentions till now, the Road Haulage Association has waited for these to be clarified before discussing the matter. The freight Transport Association is to discuss it this week. No TGWU official was available for comment.