Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will bring forward legislative proposals to tighten minimum safety requirements for HGVs by removing exceptions for construction vehicles.

The Department plans to consult shortly about reviewing exemptions for certain large vehicles from both the requirement to have a statutory roadworthiness test and to be operated under licence as goods vehicles. Additionally, the Department plans to consult about proposals to ensure a greater number of vehicles are fitted with sideguards by removing existing exemptions, and are considering a retro-fitting requirement for front mirrors.