Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 13 September (HL Deb, col. 1213), who are the “third parties” referred to.

In my statement to the House on Monday 13 September I referred to the delegation of the reversing exercise element of the HGV driving test and, for vehicles with trailers, the uncoupling and recoupling exercise, to third parties. These parties are HGV driver training providers.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is in discussions with the training industry to understand their capacity to deliver this part of the test. They will also work with them to develop a robust and clear process by which to assess, accredit and audit any trainers who wish to assess these elements of the test.