Guidance & Support

A small number of young people are entering the heavy goods vehicle sector despite ongoing efforts to bring in fresh talent. One newly qualified 18-year-old driver describes the role as one of the most fulfilling careers available, having grown up around lorries and always wanting to work in the industry. After passing the top-level test, they were offered work almost immediately, highlighting the strong demand for new recruits.

However, younger workers remain largely absent from the haulage workforce, with under-25s making up only a very small proportion of drivers. Many transport companies report that young people rarely consider logistics as a career option. The long-standing perception of unsociable hours, demanding shifts and extended periods away from home is seen as a major deterrent. Industry leaders argue that schools should give pupils earlier exposure to the sector, stressing that the UK would struggle to function without the haulage network.

Training centres are trying to widen the pool of new drivers by making the profession more accessible and appealing. Some centres are actively encouraging more women to take their HGV tests and are offering tailored support to learners with disabilities or for whom English is not a first language. Investment in modern vehicles and improved training environments is also being used to help reshape the industry’s image.

Social media influencers who promote the sector say many misconceptions still persist. They highlight that pay levels are increasingly competitive, that the job can be compatible with family life, and that logistics provides crucial support to every other industry. Their message is simple: the country relies on lorry drivers, and without new entrants, the consequences will be felt everywhere.

More than a year after revised safety rules for heavy goods vehicles came into force, experts say the changes are already making roads safer for people most at risk. The amendment to international HGV standards, achieved with support from The Road Safety Trust, strengthens requirements around what drivers must be able to see directly through their cab windows – a feature known as direct vision.

Direct vision plays a crucial role in preventing collisions involving lorries and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Researchers at Loughborough University, backed by Trust funding, identified weaknesses in the original 2022 regulation, warning that manufacturers could increase the apparent visibility from the cab without making a meaningful improvement to real-world safety. A series of detailed studies was carried out to examine alternative ways of measuring what drivers can see and to assess how well each method protected people in front of the vehicle.

Their findings led to a stronger framework that was submitted as an amendment to UNECE Regulation 167. The updated version introduces a two-part assessment, requiring vehicles to meet both broad visibility standards and more stringent requirements in the high-risk areas immediately ahead of the cab. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe approved the amendment in 2024, helping to ensure the regulation continues to deliver genuine safety benefits.

With Road Safety Week 2025 approaching, Loughborough’s Dr Steve Summerskill reflected on how the project has sparked international interest. Since the amendment was adopted, he has been working with global partners to adapt similar standards for other regions, including a new collaboration with Canadian and Australian authorities to tailor the regulation for North American HGVs. Dr Summerskill praised The Road Safety Trust for its support, noting that the partnership has helped elevate the research to a global level.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a warning that organised crime groups are approaching HGV drivers across the UK to take part in people-smuggling operations. The alert follows a rise in arrests in Kent, where several drivers have been caught attempting to travel to France with migrants hidden in their vehicles. Some offenders are believed to have deliberately assisted smugglers, while others turned a blind eye by leaving their lorries accessible in known drop-off areas.

Criminal networks are offering drivers thousands of pounds to transport migrants across the Channel, often presenting it as easy money. NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Turner said many drivers were being misled into believing the risk was low, but “the consequences are devastating,” with those convicted facing lengthy prison sentences. He urged drivers to report any suspicious approaches or activity, stressing that most haulage workers are law-abiding and play a vital role in safeguarding communities.

Recent cases have highlighted the growing scale of the issue. In August, Romanian driver Iona Monescu was sentenced to three years in prison after 44 people were discovered in his trailer at Dover. Several other drivers have also been jailed for similar offences.

The NCA, Border Force and Crimestoppers continue to run awareness campaigns encouraging drivers in the logistics sector to seek guidance and report concerns confidentially to help combat organised immigration crime.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is urging the government to revive key HGV driver training schemes and reform funding for skills development amid a worsening driver shortage. New research shows that around 100,000 HGV drivers have let their Driver Qualification Card (DQC) expire in the past year — equivalent to one in six of all working-age drivers — with many of those leaving the sector in their 30s and 40s.

The RHA estimates that 60,000 new drivers will need to be trained annually over the next five years to meet industry needs and keep supply chains moving. With 80% of the UK’s goods transported by road, the organisation warns that failure to address the shortage could have serious consequences for the wider economy.

Managing Director Richard Smith stressed that driver recruitment and retention must become a government priority. He said the closure of national HGV “bootcamp” training programmes has made it harder for firms to cover training costs and called for their reinstatement until a long-term Growth and Skills Levy is introduced.

Smith also highlighted long-standing problems around poor roadside facilities and limited secure parking. He urged collaboration between government, training providers and the industry to create lasting solutions that ensure the UK has a sustainable and skilled driver workforce for the future.

Drivers in Hampshire are being warned of a complete closure of the M27 motorway between Junctions 9 at Whiteley and 11 at Fareham as part of a major infrastructure upgrade. Hampshire County Council, in partnership with National Highways, will carry out extensive engineering work to install a new dual carriageway underpass linked to the Junction 10 improvement scheme.

The motorway will be shut in both directions for the duration of the project, allowing construction teams to complete the complex installation safely and efficiently. The decision to carry out the full closure rather than a series of phased restrictions is aimed at shortening the overall disruption period and reducing the long-term impact on motorists.

Traffic will be diverted along the A27 during the closure period, with clearly marked alternative routes in place. Authorities have advised that congestion is likely, particularly during daytime travel hours, and drivers are urged to allow extra time for their journeys or seek other routes where possible.

The scheme forms part of wider efforts to improve connectivity and ease congestion in the Fareham area. Once complete, the new underpass is expected to improve access to the M27, support local development and enhance long-term transport resilience across south Hampshire.

Amazon has started integrating its largest-ever fleet of electric heavy goods vehicles into its British operations, marking a significant step in its move towards a low-carbon logistics network. The new Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 lorries, crossing the Humber Bridge in East Yorkshire, will eventually total 160 vehicles, handling the transport of over 300 million items between the company’s regional distribution centres.

To support the switch, Amazon has installed rapid 360kW charging stations at its depots, capable of recharging the 40-tonne trucks from 20% to 80% in just over an hour. The company will also introduce 800 new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans as part of its ongoing effort to reduce emissions across its delivery fleet.

Nicola Fyfe, Amazon’s Vice President of Logistics for the EU, described the rollout as a major milestone in decarbonising the company’s UK operations. She noted that while Amazon has made significant investments in charging facilities, national progress depends on stronger collaboration between industry leaders and government to build a reliable, countrywide network.

Heiko Selzam, Managing Director of Daimler Truck UK, said the eActros 600 was designed for companies leading the charge in sustainable logistics. The Road Haulage Association added its support, urging government investment in public charging points and proposing a fuel duty rebate linked to emissions to accelerate the shift from diesel fleets.

A new 70-acre lorry park has been proposed to help manage freight traffic travelling through the Port of Dover. The development, put forward by GSE Group, would be built near the Court Wood Interchange on the A20 – the final junction before reaching the port. The company, which also runs the Ashford International Truckstop, says the project would ease congestion, improve driver welfare, and boost the local economy.

According to GSE, the site would have the capacity to accommodate around 10% of the port’s daily HGV traffic, providing secure parking just a few miles from the ferry terminal. The park is set to feature a range of facilities for drivers, including showers, a restaurant, a gym, and a convenience store. Around 100 new jobs could also be created for the Dover area if the plans go ahead.

GSE Group chairperson Darrell Healey said the development would help address the ongoing shortage of secure parking for cross-Channel freight and reduce illegal roadside parking. He added that better facilities would also help prevent crime linked to HGVs in Kent.

Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, welcomed the proposal, noting that accessible, high-quality parking is essential for freight operators and driver wellbeing. A public consultation on the scheme is expected to begin in December before a formal planning application is submitted.

Concerns from motorists about increasingly bright vehicle headlights have prompted the government to re-examine car lighting regulations. Drivers say the glare from modern LED headlamps is making night-time journeys more difficult and, in some cases, unsafe. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that it will include new measures in its upcoming Road Safety Strategy to address the issue.

Many road users report that LED lights, which produce a sharper and whiter beam than older halogen bulbs, are causing temporary blindness when driving at night. Older drivers, whose eyes take longer to recover from glare, say the brightness can make them avoid night travel altogether. Surveys from the RAC show that three-quarters of motorists find night driving harder due to dazzling lights, while a third admit feeling anxious behind the wheel.

Experts suggest that poor headlight alignment, vehicle height, and illegal LED conversions are worsening the problem. The DfT has already instructed the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to crack down on non-compliant retrofitted bulbs and is commissioning new research into the role of vehicle design in causing glare.

Manufacturers argue that LED headlights improve visibility for drivers, but road safety advocates warn a balance must be struck to ensure they don’t blind others. The forthcoming review aims to modernise outdated regulations and make driving at night safer for everyone.

Early work has started on the £363 million upgrade of junction 10 on the M5 near Cheltenham and Gloucester, even though a £70 million funding gap remains. Ecological assessments and preparatory works are already underway on the long-awaited project, which will eventually allow drivers to join and leave the motorway in both directions. Full construction is expected to begin in summer 2026.

Gloucestershire County Council has held several public drop-in sessions this month to update residents on progress. Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member for infrastructure, acknowledged the council was taking a “financial risk” by moving ahead before securing all the funding but said waiting would have caused unnecessary delays. A government decision on the remaining £70 million is due by the end of December.

Local residents have largely supported the scheme, describing it as long overdue. Brian Bailey, from Boddington, said the upgrade “should have been done years ago,” while Bishops Cleeve resident Gary Wilson raised concerns about increased traffic near the Gloucester Old Spot pub, urging for traffic lights to be installed to prevent congestion and safety issues.

Once complete, the new junction is expected to unlock major growth in the region, paving the way for up to 15,000 new homes, 12,000 skilled jobs, and investment linked to the £1 billion Golden Valley development.

Motorists may soon see the return of higher fuel duty and a new pay-per-mile system, as the government looks for ways to plug the financial gap left by the move to electric and hybrid vehicles. Accounting firm RSM UK has warned that declining fuel duty revenues could prompt significant tax changes in the upcoming Autumn Budget.

HMRC figures show that fuel duty receipts between April and September 2025 totalled £12.2bn — £26m less than the same period last year. RSM UK’s Sheena McGuinness said the decline reflects the ongoing shift to electric vehicles (EVs), which, while positive for the environment, is squeezing government income. Fuel duty once accounted for nearly 7% of the UK’s tax revenue in 2019/20, but is expected to drop to just 2% by 2025/26.

With fuel duty frozen since 2011 and a 5p-per-litre cut still in effect, McGuinness said the Chancellor could reverse the reduction to help balance the books. Falling oil prices, she added, make this an opportune moment to align duty rates with inflation — a move already included in OBR forecasts.

However, McGuinness noted that restoring the 5p cut alone won’t be enough. She suggested a more lasting measure could involve a pay-per-mile tax on EVs, consolidating fuel duty, vehicle excise duty, tolls, and congestion charges into one simpler system. The Resolution Foundation has proposed linking such fees to vehicle weight, reflecting road wear, emissions, and safety impact.