The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has repeated its call to end the 50km restriction for young PCV drivers and requested a further change which it says would also make it easier for the industry to fill driving roles.
The trade body wants the government to remove the 50km limit which applies to drivers aged under 20 on regular services.
It adds that allowing potential recruits to undertake the theory and off-road modules of their Driver CPC before a provisional licence has been granted would also help ease the staffing shortage.
Last year, the Department for Transport (DfT) opened a consultation into proposals around both issues but no outcome has yet been published.
CPT says the UK has a 3.4% shortage of bus drivers and that the corresponding figure for coaches is 12.4%.
The 50km restriction particularly affects coach operators, preventing 18- and 19-year-olds from taking on most driving duties.
Delays in the processing of provisional licences mean many candidates leave for other sectors, according to CPT.
Both CPT and RHA separately made the plea to drop the 50km limit in June 2024.
DfT’s proposal is that the restriction would be dropped only in respect of regular services, but both trade bodies want to see a complete removal to include unscheduled and occasional services.
Keith McNally, Operations Director at CPT, says: “The evidence is clear: age itself is not a key determinant of collision risk – experience is.
“DfT and DVLA data shows that young vocational drivers have fewer collisions than their peers with car licences and perform comparably with drivers aged 21 and over.
“At the same time, long waits for provisional licences mean too many willing applicants drift to other sectors before they can even start training. Tackling both of these issues would make a real difference to driver numbers.”
The call also refers to the government’s decision in May to lower the minimum age for train drivers to 18 and that someone of the same age can legally drive a 44-tonne lorry.
Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of CPT, adds: “We all want safe, reliable and affordable bus and coach services.
“The quickest way to support that is to unlock the potential of young people who are eager to start their careers in our sector.
“The government has already taken this step for rail – now it’s time to back Britain’s buses and coaches by removing these outdated restrictions.”
