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<p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes its commitment to road safety
extremely seriously and it will work with the industry and stakeholders to drive forward
the importance of safe driving and safe towing.</p><p> </p><p>The vocational test
changes will not affect the standard of driving required to drive a heavy goods vehicle
(HGV), with road safety continuing to be of paramount importance. Any driver who does
not demonstrate utmost competence will not be granted a licence.</p><p>Legislative
changes are usually subject to a post implementation review which gives the opportunity
to review and potentially update the changes made. The Department will keep these
changes under review to ensure they are effective and help increase HGV testing capacity
to meet demand whilst ensuring road safety is not compromised in the process.</p><p>The
DVSA is exploring options for an industry-led accreditation that could offer a standardised
non-statutory testing approach, and is engaging with key stakeholders, trainers and
insurers, to discuss this issue.</p><p> </p><p>The DVSA is also in discussions with
the training industry to understand their capacity to deliver the off-road manoeuvres
element of the vocational test and will work with them to develop a robust and clear
process by which to assess, accredit and audit any trainers who wish to assess the
manoeuvres element of the test.</p><p> </p>
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