Number of people taking and passing LGV driving tests finally
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on the rise By Chris Druce THE NUMBER of people taking an LGV test and passing increased last year, bringing a six-year period of decline to an end.
A CM analysis of the latest available figures, covering the 2011/12 period, shows that, when combined, both tests taken and passed at category C and C+E have increased year-on-year.
It means 44,173 people sat an LGV test in the year ending 31 March 2012, 6.6% ahead of the 41,441 in the 2010/11 period (CM 12 April 2012). The pass rate improved also, with an 8.4% uplift to 22,835 (2010/11: 21,054).
While an improvement, the latest combined totals are still lower than 2008/09 (see graph) and significantly down on the 86,826 tests taken and 39,220 passed (C and C+E) in 2005/06. Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association and head of the Skills for Logistics' Drivers' Occupational Craft Skills Group, said any increase in people passing their LGV tests had to be welcomed.
"Driver supply will become an increasingly significant issue, not least by the end of next year when we will know how many drivers have completed their Driver CPC and are employable," he said.
Dunning added that the recession meant there was no driver shortage at present, but operators large and small consistently say they "can't get good drivers".
"We want to change this to 'can't get employable drivers' and are looking at what needs to be in place to help address this point [in terms of training provision and qualification]," he explained.