Baroness Vere has responded to correspondence sent by NASP outlining concerns over the decision to terminate statutory B+E testing. You can read the full response on the NASP website here.
Whilst the letter confirms the government is progressing with the process of removing the need for a statutory test, there is some hope for B+E trainers as NASP has been in discussion with DVSA, Department for Transport and wider stakeholders about the development of a new accredited training and assessment scheme delivered by the industry.
NASP, working in partnership with the National Towing and Trailer Association, has been asked to submit a plan for such a scheme which government will consider. More news on that development soon.
5 thoughts on “Minister responds to NASP B+E concerns”
They would not extend Theory Test Certificates for Provisional License holder for 6 months, but they extended MOT test deadlines and now this removal of the need for a test to tow a large trailer/caravan.
It appears you have got the wrong end of the stick with regard to road safety.
A commercial business would fold with this level of incompitency.
Shame on you DVSA , what a complete shambles you are making of this pandemic situation.
If its not mandatory & implemented FAST it wont save the trainers from the dole que.
The introduction of the B+E test has always been commented on as a funds booster for the DVSA to benefit from, by removing the test now, will cause total confusion for motorists wanting to tow trailers / caravans that passed they’re driving test post 1991 and further enhances the comments of many that the test was indeed a funds creation exercise.
I understand the pressure on dvsa to run Tests for HGV, but this is madness to allow untrained car drivers to tow up to 3500KG Mass combined.
I’m a caravanner with about 40 years towing experience and grandfather rights. It’s not the same these days with larger vehicles, a lot more of them and roads are the same size. I’ve built my experience by adapting as necessary but new car drivers haven’t a clue about towing. I see insurance premiums punishing all for this negligent act by the government.
Would love to know what contribution removing BE tests will make to road safety.
I can’t imagine there’s many test slots that this would take away from lorry drivers, and perhaps if lorry drivers were treated with a bit more respect with access to decent parking and facilities whilst parked we would have left leave the industry and need less tests to replace them.