when did HGV drivers licences first start?

Answer 1

1930 - Age restrictions and a form of driving test is brought in for disabled drivers. Full licences for disabled drivers valid for a year. The Road Traffic Act 1930 introduces a licensing system for P.S.V.s. (Public Services Vehicles).

1931 - P.S.V. drivers could be required to take a test, at discretion of Traffic Commissioners. First edition of the Highway code introduced.

16th February 1934 - Licences for lorry drivers are introduced under the Road Traffic Act, 1934. The licensing authority may require the applicant to submit to a practical test of their ability.

1st January 1940 - HGV licences and tests are suspended during World War Two.

10th May 1967 - The Road Safety Act 1967 paves the way for regulations covering the licensing and testing of H.G.V. (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers.

4th August 1969 - An up-to-date scheme is introduced for licensing and testing new lorry drivers.

1970 - The new H.G.V. test prompts a change in P.S.V. testing. Until now vehicle inspectors have carried out P.S.V. driving tests: this is taken over by examiners who are now H.G.V. qualified.

March 1985 - P.S.V. driving tests become compulsory. Up until now, Traffic Commissioners decided whether local applicants took the test.

1st January 1997 - A new test category is created for a car with large trailer (B+E). Licence categories and tests are introduced for Direct Access and small motorcycles. The written theory test is introduced for L.G.V. and P.C.V. drivers.

29th September 1997 - For car and motorcycle drivers, the minimum wait between tests of the same category is reintroduced for unsuccessful candidates, set at ten days. For lorry and bus driver testing, a minimum wait of three days between tests of the same category for unsuccessful candidates is introduced.

Answer 2

at about 1976 the old log books where kept by the driver for the duration of the book which had about twelve pages and had to be kept in resonable condition and true to boot? some drivers used to abuse this and (forgot to keep accurate records) so the gov/mnt itroduced tacographs for a more accurate detait of the work a driver did so we had to stick to the rules OR ELS eric john ex driver of 40 years