DVSA puts LGV instructor register in industry hands

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Thursday 8 December 2016

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency has announced that its voluntary register of large goods vehicle (LGV) instructors will close at the end of this year.

It will be replaced by a new National Register of LGV Instructors (NRI), which will be operated on a not-for-profit basis by training accreditation body RTITB and supported by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Road Haulage Association (RHA).

“DVSA has worked closely with the training industry and trade associations to make sure that the benefits of a register continue, but that the responsibility for running it transfers to the industry,” the agency said in a media statement.

“It will allow DVSA to focus on keeping waiting times for LGV tests at the current low level.”

The NRI’s stated objectives include maintenance of standards for instructors’ skills and knowledge; improving the calibre of LGV instruction available; increasing the overall number of instructors on the register; and driving up national pass rates for the LGV vocational tests. Test past rates for candidates trained by registered instructors will in future be published.

Those instructors on the existing DVSA register will see their registration expire on 31 December, but can transfer their registration free of charge to the new body. A refund will be available from DVSA for any time left to run on the existing registration.

Mark Winn, head of vocational policy at DVSA, said the agency was proud to be supporting the new NRI register.

“DVSA will be part of the governance committee overseeing the delivery and development of the register and associated examination,” he said.

“We’ll continue to set standards for driver training through our role on the committee, and by maintaining the national standard for driving lorries.”

Richard Brewer, manager of the NRI, said: “The new register will be run on a not-for-profit basis for the road transport industry, by the industry, which is best placed to develop a relevant and robust register for the future.

“By working together, the register will improve the standards of LGV driver training, while providing an opportunity to further expand the register and professionalise the LGV training industry as a whole.”

Colin Snape, deputy director of policy at the RHA, added: “The Road Haulage Association fully supports the need for professionalism of LGV drivers trainers and the need for a formal register.

“We believe that with RTITB taking on the register, continuity of excellence in LGV driver training will be maintained.”