DfT explores lowering 50km limit minimum age

A DfT consultation on lowering the minimum age for bus and coach drivers to drive over 50km is now live. At present, 18- and 19-year-old drivers are limited to regular services up to 50km in length.

The consultation also investigates the possibility of allowing operators to take new recruits through the off-road stages of Category D licence acquisition (theory and hazard perception tests, case studies, off-road manoeuvres and a ‘show me, tell me’ practical test) while the provisional licence is being processed. This is envisioned to save time and to help ensure able candidates are not lost to other sectors that can offer them an immediate start.

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 5 June 2024.

Speaking at the launch of the consultation in Carlisle alongside CPT members Stagecoach and Stanley Travel, Graham Vidler, Chief Executive, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), said: “We warmly welcome this consultation on two key proposals championed by CPT to help address the challenge of driver shortages faced by the coach and bus sector.

“Allowing new recruits to get on with off-road training while awaiting their provisional licence will ensure more trainees stay the course and become safe, qualified bus or coach drivers.”

The current age restrictions on PCV licence make no sense to CPT and its members, given that an 18-year-old can drive an oil tanker, car transporter or a 44-tonne articulated lorry across the length of the country and into a busy urban area, surrounded by pedestrians. They also make it more difficult to attract young people into a career as a coach driver after education because of the lack of variety in the work on offer.

Graham Vidler said: “As 18-year-olds are allowed to drive an articulated lorry already, there is a clear case for allowing them also to drive all types of coach and bus services.”

CPT considers these changes a welcome step forward because it believes well-trained drivers in this age group can safely drive a wider range of passenger carrying services and longer services.

The proposed changes are expected to help the sector get more bus and coach drivers safely trained, and open up the transport sector to younger people, increasing job opportunities and helping grow the economy while tackling driver shortages that can undermine the provision of services.

CPT would also like to see the proposals go further since it believes younger drivers should be able to drive non-regular services too.

CPT understands there may be some legal complexities in allowing 18- and 19-year-old coach and bus drivers to undertake trips that aren’t defined as ‘regular’ in legislation. It will work with the government to try to resolve these and help the industry recruit mature and enthusiastic young people for the full range of passenger driving roles.

Both proposals and the consultation are the direct consequence of CPT’s lobbying and engagement, which followed from a discussion held during the CPT/DfT Driver Shortage Summit in November 2022.

“This consultation is a great example of industry and government working together effectively,” added Graham Vidler.

“…these proposals could help get younger talent into transport, encouraging diversity in the sector” – Roads Minister, Guy Opperman

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said: “Being a bus, coach or lorry driver can be an excellent career for young people and these proposals could help get younger talent into transport, encouraging diversity in the sector.

“This could be a win-win, not only improving job opportunities for those leaving school, but also going some way to continue to ease driver shortages, delivering more reliable bus and coach services and a more resilient supply chain as part of our plan to grow the economy.”

“We fully welcome these proposals which would remove the entry barriers to the industry” – Andrew Scott, Director of Stanley Travel

Andrew Scott, Director of Stanley Travel, said: “As a medium-sized, family-run coach company, we’re always looking to attract younger bus and coach drivers to our sector.

“We fully welcome these proposals which would remove the entry barriers to the industry, help us run more services to provide customers with greater choice, and open up fantastic careers as a coach driver for young people.”

“The age restrictions have constrained the sector’s ability to attract young people and, considering someone can drive an HGV from 18, puts the coach sector at a disadvantage” – Declan Pang, RHA Director of Public Affairs & Policy, England

Declan Pang, RHA Director of Public Affairs & Policy, England, said: “We have long supported proposals to attract younger people into the role and address the ageing coach driver workforce which is a barrier to the sector’s growth.

“The age restrictions have constrained the sector’s ability to attract young people and, considering someone can drive an HGV from 18, puts the coach sector at a disadvantage.

“These proposals could improve prospects for coach operators and we look forward to seeing them implemented.”

• The consultation can be found here