mister backs' LGV campaign
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by Patric Cunnane • Commercial Motor's campaign to regulate LGV driving schools has won Government backing for a voluntary registration scheme which could lead to legislation.
Steven Norris, Minister for Local Transport and Road Safety, is backing a voluntary scheme developed by the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council and the Road Transport Industry Training Board. This would be monitored to compare pass rates of registered schools with nonregistered schools; legislation could follow.
Norris says he is astonished that the LGV test does not have to be taken in a laden vehicle—he is urgently reviewing test procedures.
Campaign supporters include MPs David Porter and David Chidgey, who have asked questions in Parliament, and Ron McBride and Mike Thorogood of the Institute of HGV Driving Instructors which has been pressing for regulation since 1971.
CM's campaign is designed to close the loop hole which allows anyone with an LGV licence to set up as an LGV driving instructor. By contrast car driving instructors are obliged to meet AD! (Approved Driving Instructor) standards set by the Government's Driving Standards Agency. The AD1 scheme was originally voluntary but became law when evidence showed that it raised standards of motoring schools.
"We see a voluntary scheme as the first stage to addressing the problem," says Norris, "but we are not opposed to a statutory register if that proves to be of benefit." The minister previously opposed regulation of LGV schools as a burden to business.