During the recent Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns by the UK Government, a number of emergency measures were put in place in order to address certain issues such as the shortage of HGV drivers. Having been able to make changes (due in most part to the UK no longer being in the European Union and the Government therefore being able to easily change the legislation regarding driver testing and licensing), the Government is now looking to explore whether there are any further opportunities to make changes to the legislation within the transport regulatory regime that would lead to economic benefits in the industry and "support economic growth by strengthening the supply chain".
One of the areas that the Government has identified is the rules around C1 provision. Under current rules, those with a standard car licence obtained after 1st January 1997 may only drive vehicles weighting up to 3.5 tonnes, unless they have taken additional tests to qualify for the C1 entitlement - which then allows them to drive a vehicle combination up to 8.25 tonnes (the vehicle must be between 3.5 and 7.5 tones plus a trailer with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of up to 750kg).
In the UK, up until 1st January 1997 drivers who passed their car driving test immediately gained entitlement to drive a light lorry or van (known as a C1 entitlement) without the need for any further training or testing. After 1st January 1997, due to the EU Second Driving Licence Directive, a separate test has been required to allow car drivers to have this entitlement, with those drivers who took their test prior to 1st January 1997 being given "grandfather rights" which allowed them to drive vehicle combinations (as specified above) up to 8.25 tonnes. Under the proposed review, this need for an additional test would be removed for all holders of a standard car licence (B entitlement).
The government's website is asking for views to be submitted by members of the public and industry professionals that will help to answer important questions regarding the "global driver shortage" and to assist research into how post-Brexit freedoms are to be used to remove "red-tape" and create opportunities for people and businesses across the country, without, as far as the transport industry is concerned, lessening any road safety standards already in place.
Currently in order to hold a C1 entitlement you must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be 18 years or over,
- Hold a category B entitlement,
- Undergo a medical assessment for initial application and then obtain signed medical reports in order to renew the entitlement once the age of 45 years is obtained, and then every 5 years up to the age of 65, where upon the medical report must be obtained annually.
- Those with current grandfather rights to a C1 entitlement, upon the age of 70 must submit a medical report that is subject to higher health standards than for a standard car licence in order to continue to hold the right.
- Those who took a C1 test have to make a self-declaration about their health every 5 years up to the age of 45.
- A Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) may also be required to drive commercial goods vehicles on a C1 entitlement.
If the rules where to revert to pre-1997 rules, then the government proposal is that drivers must have/be:
- Minimum age of 17,
- Must have passed theory and practical driving tests in a car
- Practical driving test cannot include motorways,
- For professional drivers, the DCPC and the medical declarations are likely to remain in place.
These changes would remove a significant amount of administration for the haulage industry and the possibly the medical profession alike with all the subsequent savings in time and money that lifting that burden would produce and the requirement for professional drivers, who after all are the people doing the most driving hours on the UK's roads, to hold additional certifications still ensures that road safety is high on the legislative agenda, so this proposed change may well be a positive move by the Government.
In order to have your say on this matter, you can click here to complete the online form. The consultation period will run until 28th October 2022.
In the meantime, if you have any queries about the current C1 regime or any other matter that might be affecting your transport operation then do not hesitate to get in touch. Click here to send an email, or call 01279 818280 to speak with one of our lawyers. We are here to help.

More News and Insight

Case Study – Public Inquiry for Gillbard Plant, Autumn 2024
Gillbard Plant was called to Public Inquiry in Autumn 2024. The hearing made headlines in the transport press due to the element of “DVSA Poacher turned Game-keeper” of Gillbard Plant’s Transport Manager, Mr. Anthony Brayley-Willmetts, a former DVSA (VOSA) examiner turned transport consultant…

DVSA Load Security Guidance – Updated December 2024
When carrying loads on lorries every HGV Operator knows how important it is to ensure that goods are secured safely so that they arrive at their destination in good condition and that they do not cause any damage or danger on the UK’s roads during the process of transporting them…

New Rules for Vehicle Operators and Drivers Carrying Out International Journeys
The Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recently issued a bulletin regarding the new rules that vehicle operators and their drivers will have to comply with if travelling on international journeys…

Road Haulage Association Members and DVSA Leadership Work Shadow Each Other!
To help highlight the Road Haulage Association’s “National Lorry Week” which this year was between 4th and 8th November 2024, the Road Haulage Association and the DVSA’s Leadership team decided to spend some time work shadowing each other….

2024 Update to Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (GTMR)
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is the Driver & Vehicle Standard Agency’s (DVSA) standard produced in collaboration with key industry stake holders which explains the responsibilities and systems involved in maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy….

New Driver CPC Reforms to be in Force from 3rd December 2024
Following a very lengthy consultation period on this matter launched in early 2023, Parliament finally debated the “Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2024” on Tuesday 29th October 2024…

When Sat Nav’s Lead Lorries Astray!
Lorries getting into trouble and causing chaos in the small country roads of Great Britain have been making headlines again. Whilst a lot of this content is amusing and no doubt is a winner with internet audiences there is a very serious side to these incidents…

Traffic Commissioners 2023-2024 Report – the Highlights & the Lowlights of the Year
In early October the Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain published their annual report. The report encompasses the purpose of the individual Traffic Commissioners who are independent regulators for the goods vehicle and public service vehicle industries and their professional drivers…

Vehicle Maintenance Data Collected by the DVSA
In a recent ‘blog’ by the DVSA’s Danny Charles the amount and type of data that the DVSA collects was discussed. Some may find it surprising how much data the DVSA holds and makes available to the general public on individual transport businesses…

Murky Mini-Bus Waters in UK?
There has been reports in the industry news concerning the number of illegal operators of mini bus services who are operating un-hindered by the regulatory enforcement agencies…

Driver CPC – Changes Coming in 2024 and 2025
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) was introduced in the UK in 2007, as specified in EU Directive 2003/59/EC for all commercial drivers…

Changes to Code of Practice for Enforcement of Weighing of Vehicles
All commercial vehicles being used on the highways and byways of the UK have a maximum weight that they are allowed to carry which is usually determined by type of vehicle…