Tractor driving licensing – changes to the current regime

This consultation closed on 28 October.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government took action to expand HGV driver testing capacity and ease the driver licensing process. The government says that the ability to make changes partly came as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

The government now wants to explore further options for change to UK driver licensing rules and has issued a call for evidence. Further information can be found at: GOV.UK | Driving licensing review - call for evidence on opportunities for changes to the driver licensing regime

The consultation will close on 28 October 2022.

The government has asked for views on four areas:

• Granting drivers who have a car (category B) license an additional entitlement to an HGV (category C1) licence. In effect to revert to the position pre-1997.
• Grant drivers who have a car (category B) license an additional entitlement to a minibus (category D1) license. In effect to revert to the position pre-1997.
• Create a formalised HGV instructor programme
• Additional changes including:
  
  • the alignment of category F (agricultural tractors) and category H (tracked vehicles) with haulage tractors and require a category C license (HGV license) rather than a category F.
  • Changes to agricultural tractor tests

The NFU is seeking further information from the Department of Transport following which we will ask members for feedback to help form our response.

In the meantime if members wish to send in comments on the call for evidence please do so via: [email protected]