Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the proposed period test for an HGV Driver Certificate for Professional Competence on (1) the hours of training undertaken by HGV drivers, and (2) road safety.

My Department has recently closed a consultation into proposed reforms to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) qualification. The consultation presented an opportunity to receive responses which could be assessed to determine the impacts of proposals, including those related to the periodic test. My officials are currently analysing responses which cover, among other things, the preference for the test in comparison to training and the perceived effectiveness of the test in assuring road safety.

In developing the test proposal, my officials conducted a review into DCPC combined with stakeholder engagement. The outcome of this work identified a need for increased driver choice and flexibility in how DCPC is maintained. To emphasise, the test proposal is an option put to consultation and would give drivers the choice of renewing DCPC using a test or training. If a test were used, it does not stop drivers training either to prepare for the test or for other reasons. Finally, the content of the periodic test has been put to consultation but is intended to assess driver knowledge of key, safety critical areas.