AQW 22564/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 15/09/2021
Answered On Date: 27/09/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) how many new HGV driving test examiners have been trained in the past twelve months; (ii) to detail this year’s budget for training new HGV examiners; and (iii) whether there are plans to expand HGV testing centres beyond the current three sites of Mallusk, Craigavon and Newbuildings.

Answer:

Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driving tests are conducted at Belfast, Craigavon and Newbuildings test centres.

Following the easing of restrictions and risk assessments, driving examiner training commenced on 26 April 2021, prioritising the training of examiners to conduct Category B learner driver testing. However, restrictions on social distancing has limited the number of examiners that can be trained at any one time, when compared with pre-Covid arrangements.

The process to become an LGV driving examiner involves a number of stages. The DVA has identified additional examiners to complete LGV training, which in some cases will involve the acquisition of the relevant driving licences before completing the six week LGV examiner training course. However, given the DVA’s commitment to prioritise and train additional Category B (private car) driving examiners, it is likely to be January 2022 before these new LGV driving examiners are trained and operational. The DVA has set aside £18k to train new LGV driving examiners during this financial year.

The DVA is also exploring whether there are other locations where it would be possible to deliver LGV tests. However, locations are limited to those test centres where there is space for an off-road manoeuvring area and where suitable driving test routes can be developed to ensure the qualifying test standard can be delivered.

Nonetheless, the DVA has, and continues, to work hard to increase its capacity to help meet the high demand for driving tests for all customers, including those customers seeking a LGV driving test.

Standing appointments for LGV driver training schools were reinstated on 23 April, when driver testing resumed after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions by the Executive. This arrangement allows the LGV training industry to better plan their driver test appointments.

The DVA continues to offer LGV tests on a Saturday and at certain centres on Sundays, where it is suitable to do so without compromising the integrity of the test. However, uptake from the industry, particularly on Sundays has been lower than expected given the demand for these types of tests. Overtime is also used to rota off-shift dual role driving examiners to provide further capacity.

Through increasing its capacity in the first four full months since driving tests resumed on 23 April, the DVA has conducted 1,290 LGV driving tests, which is 65% higher than the five-year average for that period, demonstrating a clear commitment to providing increased testing capacity to support the needs of the sector.

I can also advise that testing is not seen as a significant reason for LGV driver shortages here. A recent RHA survey identifies driver’s retirements, Brexit and changes to off-payroll working rules as the three main reasons for the shortages. Hauliers in the UK wide survey did not identify testing as an issue.

I remain committed to minimising disruption and ensuring our plans for the restoration of services is in hand. However, all driving test services across these islands are experiencing high demand with longer than usual waiting times and we would ask customers for their continued patience.