Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the number of fully qualified HGV Class 1 and 2 drivers in the UK, and (2) any additional number needed to meet current and future demand.

As of May 2021 Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency data indicated there were about 622,000 full HGV licence holders with active professional competence (a valid driver certificate of professional competence, Driver CPC). The pool of people holding HGV licences is wider still (a further 370,000 as of May 2021) including for example transport managers and drivers not requiring DCPC such as fire service drivers.

Current trade association estimates of the driver shortage range from 60,000 to 100,000, with a central estimate of around 76,000. The current shortage includes both a chronic, long-term, component and an acute element.