A driver training period is needed
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How interested I was to read your article "Falling Scale" (CM 15-2 Oct). Truck companies and good experienced drivers receive a lot of stick. People seem to think they have nothing to do'. But it is a very demanding job, often with long hours, and there is a lot of responsibility as well.
So is it any wonder driver numbers are falling? Ifaulage companies and Government policies are totally wrong. I have been down the road of get your HGV licence, then scream "help", since everywhere you go you get the reply, "fat chance".
Hauliers and the Government have shot themselves in the foot. I agree they should not put somebody in a new truck who is not competent to do the job on their own. But why not give them a "training period" and show them what's what? After all, in a relatively short period of time YOU could have the staff to keep your business afloat. Then again, if it turns out a total waste of time, what have you lost? It's about time everybody concerned amalgamated and put some sensible proposals on the table before it's too late. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have considered taking an HGV licence—it's not worth the paper it's written on. JO Davies, Caernarvon, Wales.