As you may be aware, over the past year, the DVSA have halted driving tests throughout the country, as part of the Covid-19 response. This decision worsened the logistics sector's driver shortage crisis, which led to delivery shortages across the country. It has also hindered all efforts to fully certify new drivers. Also, due to the emerging impacts of Brexit, this is going to continue to pose problems for the country’s supply chains.

As part of the Logistics Skills Network, Mantra has been working with other training providers to petition the Government and DVSA to lift these restrictions. Safe ways of testing are available and easily implemented, and there is no doubt that testing more drivers would alleviate the pressure on the UK's supply chains. However, there was little movement on this topic at the DVSA, which led to them being called in front of the Government to justify their decisions.

Recently, the head of the DVSA, Gareth Llewellyn, stepped down from his position. The new head, Loveday Ryder, is currently assessing the situation, in partnership with the Logistics Skills Network, and we hope that testing can resume again soon.