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Trailer test legislation change 'devastating' for business and safety, Highland firm boss warms


By Calum MacLeod

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Heather Maclennan of HLM Trailer & Driving Training.
Heather Maclennan of HLM Trailer & Driving Training.

An end to the requirement for driver to pass a test before they can take a trailer onto the open road has been labelled horrendous for safety, as well as devastating to her own business by a Highland instructor.

As part of a series of measures to tackle the shortage of lorry drivers, the UK Government has announced the scrapping of the requirement for trailer drivers to pass the B + E category test from Monday, September, 20.

Although the UK Department of Transport is recommending that drivers wishing to tow trailers of up to 3.5 tonnes should still receive training, it is no longer a legal requirement.

Previously drivers were limited to towing a 750kg trailer before being required to pass a test.

For Heather Maclennan of HLM Trailer & Driver Training, the sudden announcement, following just a three week consultation period, means that almost all her business has been wiped out virtually overnight, and without any support or compensation.

"At 5.10pm on Friday, we all got an email saying there was no more B+E requirement and everyone can tow a trailer once they have passed their driving test at 17," she said.

"There is no remuneration for businesses like us who are going to the wall. Trailer testing is 98 per cent of our business and everyone is cancelling their tests, apart from one girl who still wants to go ahead with it. It is just horrendous. We have to refund everybody and there is no help from the government and of course, we have just got through Covid."

HLM, which typically trains between four and 10 drivers per week, had actually been expanding and Ms Maclennan had invested in a second pick-up truck and additional trailer.

"Suddenly, it was all over. There was no build-up or warning," she said.

HLM Trailer & DrivingTraining had just invested in a new trailer.
HLM Trailer & DrivingTraining had just invested in a new trailer.

Apart from her own situation, she added that she has real concerns about the impact of road safety.

"The safety aspect is horrendous," she added.

"Imagine the tourists coming up with caravans and they don't have to pass a test. But it's not just caravans, it's horseboxes, live animals – anything.

"It's quite ridiculous. They have 'suggested' people get training, but there is no certification. A 17-year old can now be let loose with a 3.5 tonne trailer behind them.

"One really important aspect of the test is when they hook the trailer on, they have to ensure it is properly attached to the tow hitch. That is imperative because many years ago a trailer came off the back of a pick-up and killed some kids.

"Trailers are going to be coming away and flying off if the trailer is not properly secure."

Although she is also a driving instructor, this is a tiny part of of the business which she only started after requests from friends and usually only commits one evening a week to. She now faces the immediate loss of some £50,000 worth of business annually and the impact not only on her, but on her mother and another staff-member, who both work part-time for the business.

Ms Maclennan, who has written to local MP Drew Hendry to raise the issue, said: "I have the whole business to wrap up just now. I have to take the stickers off the pick-up and sell it back to the dealer. You would think there would be some sort of compensation instead of being told to suddenly just drop it."


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