The Government has been slammed for “dithering” over new towing regulations, hitting businesses hard.
The compulsory B+E driving tests were abandoned in September in order to free up examiner capacity at the DVSA. But while the Government said at the time that new rules regulating who can tow what would be finalised by 15 November, nothing has materialised yet and the official line is now that the new regulations will be announced “at a later date”.
This inaction is impacting businesses just when they need capacity most, according to RED Driver Training and creating productivity issues. Drivers who passed their driving test after a certain date are not allowed to tow – even if they have undertaken further training from specialist driver training companies.
Ian McIntosh, CEO of the risk management specialist, believes the delay was not only frustrating, but entirely avoidable.
He said: “The Government created this mess when it took the decision to stop the B+E tests and it is now making things even harder by not releasing the guidance needed to allow businesses to work.
“Since September we have trained hundreds of fleet drivers through our new Permit to Tow course. These drivers are safe, qualified and ready to tow but they cannot. So companies are struggling to get equipment to jobs, to deliver goods and provide logistical support. How is that helping UK businesses be more productive?”
McIntosh added: “Since September we have been working closely with our clients to fill in the gap left by the Government’s decision to abandon towing tests.
“The vast majority of our clients have committed to continue paying to train their drivers in towing because they appreciate the risks involved. It seems a shame that they are being hit for simply trying to do the right thing and keep standards within the industry high.”
Under current rules, anyone who does not already hold a trailer licence for towing a heavier weight trailer with a light vehicle (over 3,500kg) will continue to be unable to tow. This applies to anyone who passed their test after 1 January 1997.
Any driver caught towing without a licence faces having nine penalty points on their licence – three for not having a licence and six for having no insurance. Fines start at £800 per offence. Under the previous B+E testing regime, the pass rate was just 58% – highlighting how complex the issue of towing is.
McIntosh added: “Towing a trailer is a complex issue – there are huge safety implications if something goes wrong.”
