Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on safety of the reduced requirements for HGV driver tests.

The elements currently assessed to determine the competence of test candidates to hold a lorry licence will not change. The proposal is to allow the off-road reversing manoeuvres and, for vehicles with trailer, the un-coupling and coupling exercise, to be conducted separately by authorised third-party assessors.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiners will continue to conduct the on-road driving test. Any driver that does not meet the required standards will not be granted a test pass.