Test fee increase attacked by RHA
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PLANS for a threefold increase in the hgv driving test fee are attacked by the Road Haulage Association this week.
In a letter to the Department of the Environment the RHA condemns the move as inflationary and unjustified. And it warns that upping the fee from £8 to £24 could lead to a serious shortage of skilled drivers.
Mr Len Harper, the Association's executive officer concerned with education and training, gives seven main reasons for the RHA's opposition to the proposal.
• The new fee is excessive and more than covers the cost of the test.
• Past deficits in receipts are the result of the recession, and when the economy picks up so will the number of tests being taken.
• An increase would add to the already high cost of the A NORFOLK haulier died last week when. he was crushed between two of his vehicles in a yard at King's Lynn.
Mr Garth Gambier, 39, managing director of Minster Motor Services, was trapped when a vehicle ran back and trapped him against another truck.
Mr Gambier was chairman of the King's Lynn branch of the Road Haulage Association, He had formed a company dealing with the transport of cars ten years ago.
An inquest was expected to be opened into the death and factory inspectors twill be investigating. hgv test. With a fee of £24 the overall cost per trainee would be £45-£50.
$ Such a high fee would cut the number of •trainees and lead to a shortage of drivers, particularly when the economy expands and when the new drivers' hours regulations are enforced.
• There would inevitably be an increase in the "poaching" of trained drivers by compa nies outside the scope of the RTITB.
• There would be an adverse effect on the new scheme for young drivers. Registered employers of trainees progressing to Class I licences would pay test fees totalling £72 as well as other costs.
• The higher fee and its effects on the driver position would lead to higher costs for road transport users.