Understanding industry perceptions and experiences of seventeen of the measures to reduce the HGV driver shortage

Paddeu, Daniela; Parkhurst, Graham; Jain, Juliet; Adeel, Muhammad

Abstract

In response to an acute shortage of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers, the UK Government introduced 33 measures to support the road haulage sector. The measures addressed supply chain efficiency, driver training, capacity of testing and licencing processes, driver working conditions and taxes. The first measures were introduced in March 2020. Some were introduced for specific periods, and some were permanent changes. Of the temporary measures, some had ended by April 2023, a few were continuing until the end of 2023.
The Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned the Centre for Transport & Society at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) to evaluate 17 of the measures. The 17 were selected by DfT based on initial assessments it had undertaken. Measures are included if they: 1) were temporary and immediate as these measures were intended to have an impact in the short-term 2) could impact safety, as the UK Government has a duty of responsibility to consider any potential safety implications 3) increase the skills supply chain as this has been identified as a key priority by the sector.
The project was to conclude by the summer of 2023. The purpose of the evaluation was to:
• understand sector wide perspectives on the extent to which the measures had been effective in reducing the HGV driver shortage, and what policy interventions would be suitable for repeating at a future date, if necessary,
• explore stakeholder experiences of any unintended outcomes and how these might be mitigated, and
• examine whether any lessons could be learned about the process of
implementation.

• Report Type: Other
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2024
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2024
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12009796
• Publisher URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66013fdca6c0f7f514ef911b/freight-industry-understanding-hgv-driver-shortages.pdf