Plans to allow motorists to drive lorries without taking a test have been dubbed a “Brexit bonus” by the government.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps is set to launch a consultation on whether to lift the Brussels-imposed ban on motorists driving anything larger than a 3.5-ton vehicle.
It means motorists cannot drive vans and lorries up to 7.5 tons without taking further tests, or minibuses with up to 16 seats without restrictions.
Mr Shapps believes lifting the ban could increase the pool of commercial drivers, boosting job opportunities and the economy.
It could also help address shortages of HGV drivers because some may graduate to drive heavy goods vehicles.
EU directives
A government source told the Telegraph: “We are past the days when EU directives were handed down on tablets of stone, and we should be prepared to liberalise where we can, testing the necessity for maintaining driving restrictions that were once thought unnecessary in this country.
“Grant thinks we should have a fresh look at this, but of course this has to be done with due regard for safety.”
EU rules enshrined in UK law bar any motorist with a full driving licence gained after Jan 1, 1997, from driving any vehicle over 3.5 tons without a further specialised test.
Mr Shapps is understood to believe there is a strong case for returning to pre-1997 rules, where anyone with a full licence could drive any vehicle up to 7.5 tons.
“Greater pool of drivers”
In a letter to MPs, the Transport Secretary wrote: “It has been suggested that now the UK has left the European Union, we may wish to allow all car drivers – not just those who passed their test before Jan 1, 1997, the right to drive these larger vehicles without need for a further test.
“Changes to the licensing categories would potentially create a greater pool of drivers. I am quite happy to explore this idea and how this may work in reality – without making any commitments to legislative change at this stage.”
He said the consultation aimed to seek “evidence on the economic benefits of widening the recruitment pool for medium-sized goods vehicles and minibus drivers, which may attract more people to the industry and support economic growth by further strengthening our supply chain”.
Responding to the news, Naomi Smith, CEO of internationalist campaign group Best for Britain said: “Driver shortages have been caused in part by Brexit so to describe this move as a ‘Brexit bonus’ is simply stupid.”