The 9th September 2019 HGV Driver CPC deadline is fast approaching, which means that all HGV drivers must have undertaken at least 35 hours of driver training to maintain their current card - It is illegal for professional drivers to operate without a Driver Qualification Card (DQC).
In the last few years, we have seen a substantial decrease in the number of qualified HGV drivers, which is affecting Local Authority collection services. It is no secret that public sector waste collection is not the highest paid industry because it is funded by the public purse. With many commercial contractors able to offer higher rates of pay, overtime, shift bonuses etc, it is no surprise that the public sector is falling victim to the private sector.
That said, it is estimated that the UK overall is currently 50,000 HGV drivers short (ROSPA). The ‘Amazon Effect’ and the ‘Internet of Things’ concept has also seen HGV drivers switch to more lucrative multi-drop courier delivery services where CPC or a HGV license is not required.
With the current average driving age of 53 and 47% of HGV drivers already over 50, this situation is only going to get worse over the next few years.
From a Health & Safety perspective, driver shortages are opening avenues for HGV drivers to supplement their income through additional employment either during evenings or weekends. This can be very risky business as many of these hours are not formally logged and employers are often unaware of a second job, which can affect concentration and the ability to operate safely.
HGV drivers with multiple jobs may not be accurately recording driver hours in an attempt to mask the additional employment, which is both dangerous and fraudulent. The DVSA have picked up on the use of manual driver log books within the public sector, so they are now inspecting these records. One particular waste contractor who shall remain anonymous, has been specifically targeted by the DVSA so they are now fitting Tachographs to all of their Local Authority RCV fleet regardless.
On the flip side, there has been a huge reduction in manslaughter cases through the use of improved technologies including CCTV, Vehicle Telematics and Sensors etc. However, it is likely that there could soon be pressure to implement a legislative change to install and use Tachographs for any vehicle 3.5t or over to close the ‘loophole’.
