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| Driver training: opportunity or bottleneck |
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| Written by Vascoingles | |
| Saturday, 20 September 2008 | |
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Driver training: opportunity or bottleneck for market and recruitment? The EU Driver Training Directive 2003/59/EC, which enters into force today, requires all new bus and coach drivers to hold a certificate of professional competence (CPC). The same will apply to new truck drivers in exactly 1 year’s time. The EU Driver Training Directive is expected to contribute to further improve safety and environmental performances of the road transport sector. By providing a vital stimulus for raising standards within the industry, the Directive should also help making it a skill-based career of choice for young workers. However, there are fears that the lack of timely preparation and proper implementation in many EU Member States will create serious bottlenecks for the recruitment of new drivers - hence for the functioning of the market itself, as it is likely to exacerbate driver shortages and reduce the ability of collective passenger transport to meet the growing demand for sustainable mobility. Freight companies, goods distribution and the wider economy will also suffer similar penalties as of September 2009 if such problems remain, due to: 1. the late implementation of required measures, which started only months before today’s deadline in many EU Member States, despite the Directive’s adoption in 2003; 2. the high costs for preparing exams, which may range from EUR 3000 to EUR 6000 e.g. in Belgium, where only tests are compulsory. Where attendance to CPC driver courses is also compulsory, increased costs for starting in the industry will be even more prohibitive; and 3. the lack of harmonisation between systems and thresholds (level of difficulty for theoretical questions and practical tests, exam pass mark, etc.) applicable in the various EU Member States. IRU General Delegate to the EU, Michael Nielsen, said, “Because of these shortcomings in the preparation and implementation of Member States, the Directive could change positive opportunities for the sector into expensive and unnecessary barriers to much needed new drivers entering our profession. EU and Governmental authorities must thus help companies and training institutes striving to make a success out of the Directive. Urgent solutions are needed, including additional public funding at national level; exchange of best practices between national authorities and other stakeholders; appropriate prices for training courses and exams; adapted test questions, and harmonised standards.” Source IRU |
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