Q I am not tel 21 and wish to become
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a heavy goods vehicle driver hut I am unable to obtain an hgv licence because of my age. 1 am told that new legislation will allow me to do this. Is this so?
A The Road Traffic Act, 1974, not yet implemented, allows regulations to be made which will impose conditions under which persons between 18 and 21 years of age may drive vehicles over 3 tons unladen. This will allow operators and training organization to recruit staff over 18 years of age and train them to drive heavy goods vehicles.
Final details of the scheme will not be settled till the Regulations have been made but they are expected to include registration of those organizations undertaking such training and an outline of the kind of training which should be given at clearly defined periods.
From this you will see that the success of the scheme will depend on the willingness of operators to recruit and train young people. Incidentally, such employees may be employed any time after their 16th birthday though it is likely that a written agreement will then be involved and driving training will not commence till the trainee has reached the appropriate age for a driving licence.