Work to explore whether restrictions on the youngest PCV drivers should be removed has been reopened by the Department for Transport (DfT), with a clear indication that a full end to the restriction on those aged 18 and 19 that limits them to regular services of no more than 50km in length is being considered.
Partial relaxation was floated in April 2024 via a consultation, but after the general election and a change in government three months later, no formal response or further action was forthcoming.
Under those proposals, the 50km limit would have still applied to young drivers on non-regular services, although its lifting for regular and semi-regular duties was put forward. That drew disappointment, with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) noting how many journeys undertaken by coaches are non-regular and thus would not benefit.
For the recent rethink, DfT has opened a survey inviting coach and bus operators to supply various information relating to drivers, including that specific to the age group in question and the possible impact of lifting the 50km restrictions entirely.
A number of coach operators have noted that the restriction as it stands inhibits scope to recruit drivers aged 18 or 19 as they cannot be fully utilised across a full breadth of work.
In a letter to CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler sent during late January, Minister for Roads and Buses Simon Lightwood acknowledges how the coach sector and its representatives have “strongly advocated” for removal of the regular service restriction for young PCV drivers to sit alongside lifting of the 50km limit.
He adds that the original consultation from 2024 was narrow in scope and leaves DfT unable to assess the wider proposal as favoured by the industry without further information.
“I am keen to understand how removing the current restrictions could safely support the easing of coach driver shortages,” Mr Lightwood continues. A robust evidence base is imperative for DfT officials to effectively evaluate the counter-proposal, he notes.
Among the survey’s questions are several specific to PCV drivers aged 18 and 19, with one aimed at understanding the impact of removing current licensing restrictions on that age group. Another asks about how the current limitations influence operators’ minimum age for driver applicants, while awareness of other nations’ approach is also included.
CPT has welcomed the latest work and urged its members to respond to the survey. In a message to them, Operations Manager Gavin Miller says that while there is no guarantee of change to the current position, “we view the survey as a positive step towards it.”
The closing date for responses is 2 March. They will be reviewed alongside submissions from other stakeholders and a combined evidence base will be used to inform a policy review and identify next steps.
Complete the survey by clicking here.
