Guidance & Support

With thousands of newly qualified drivers set to join the nation’s motorways this summer, National Highways and RED Driver Training are reminding motorists of the importance of staying safe around heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). August is traditionally one of the busiest months for test passes, with nearly 70,000 drivers gaining their licences in August 2024 alone. But while excitement builds for summer trips and first motorway experiences, figures show drivers under 30 account for one in four serious or fatal collisions involving HGVs.

To reduce risks, the campaign highlights the importance of knowing HGV blind spots and practising safe driving habits. Motorists are urged to overtake steadily and avoid cutting back in too soon, to keep a safe distance rather than tailgating, and to stay visible by signalling clearly and avoiding blind spots. These simple steps, experts say, can make a vital difference in preventing accidents.

Research by National Highways and RED Driver Training found that despite a 2018 law change allowing learners on motorways with instructors, more than half of new drivers had never driven on a motorway before passing their test. Two in five also admitted to feeling anxious when near lorries, showing the need for greater preparation.

Colin Stevenson of National Highways said many young drivers will be experiencing motorways for the first time this summer and urged them to give large vehicles space and respect. RED’s CEO, Seb Goldin, added that additional training with instructors can help new drivers build the skills and confidence needed to share the road safely with HGVs.

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that the UK’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market shrank by 11.2% in the second quarter of 2025, with just 10,185 new registrations recorded. Tractor units, which continue to account for more than 40% of the sector, slipped by 8.1% to 4,295 vehicles. However, the sharpest fall was seen in box vans, which plummeted by 33.1% to only 905 registrations. Demand also weakened for tippers and curtainsiders, down 19.6% and 24.2% respectively.

One notable exception was refuse collection vehicles, which bucked the trend with an 11.4% rise, reaching 614 units. While overall volumes declined, zero-emission trucks saw significant growth, with 183 new models registered in the first six months of 2025. This marks a 59.1% increase compared with the same period last year, although they still represent less than 1% of the total market share.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the latest decline was expected as the market “normalises” but warned that a recovery was urgently needed given the sector’s importance to the UK economy. He welcomed new government funding for depot infrastructure but stressed that energy grid reform was vital to support operators investing in electric fleets.

The SMMT has urged policymakers to prioritise depot grid connections in the same way as data centres and renewable energy projects. The organisation argues that a long-term strategy for HGV charging infrastructure will be essential to support operators and encourage greater adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

Heathrow Airport has formally submitted its plans for a third runway to the government, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander set to review the proposal. The next stage will see a public consultation on the national policy framework for airports, which outlines how approval for such a project can be granted. Only after this process can a full planning application be lodged.

The £49 billion scheme would increase Heathrow’s capacity by 276,000 flights a year, bringing the total to 756,000 annually. Plans include diverting part of the M25 into a tunnel beneath the new runway. Alongside the proposal, the Department for Transport is preparing to launch an Airspace Design Service to redesign the UK’s flight paths, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce delays — a move seen as essential for accommodating the extra air traffic.

Other proposals, including a shorter runway plan from the Arora Group, will also be considered. Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager, Alexandra Herdman, stressed the importance of ensuring air freight growth is included in the winning design, noting Heathrow’s role as the UK’s largest port by value and a vital link for global trade.

Meanwhile, the government is expected to approve plans allowing Gatwick’s second “emergency” runway to be used regularly, with conditions on noise levels and public transport improvements. A final decision is anticipated in the autumn.

From early 2026, learner drivers in the UK will be tested on vital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills as part of the car and motorcycle theory exam. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) hopes the move will equip more people with the knowledge to act in life-threatening emergencies, particularly as drivers are often first to arrive when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

The updated test will include questions on CPR techniques and how to use a defibrillator — a device that delivers an electric shock to help restart the heart. Official study materials have already been revised, covering topics such as “Who can use a public access defibrillator?” with the simple answer being “anyone”. Defibrillators are designed to be easy to operate, giving clear instructions so that even untrained bystanders can step in to help.

Evidence shows that if CPR and defibrillation are administered within the first few minutes of collapse, survival rates can reach up to 70%. Without prompt action, that figure falls to fewer than one in ten. The NHS advises delivering firm chest compressions — 5 to 6cm deep at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute — until professional help arrives.

James Cant, chief executive of Resuscitation Council UK, welcomed the change, saying it will ensure millions of new drivers gain the confidence to step in and potentially save lives during a cardiac arrest.

New research reveals that the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) among commercial fleets remains sluggish - particularly in the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sector. A survey conducted by Direct Commercial Limited (DCL) found only 13% of brokers believe their clients are adapting well to electric or hybrid models, while nearly half say operators are struggling or not transitioning at all.

The readiness for incoming sustainability regulations also appears low, with just 9% of brokers saying clients are somewhat prepared. The main barriers in the HGV space include limited electric truck availability, range anxiety, and a lack of charging infrastructure. While some movement is being seen in light commercial vehicles (LCVs), electric LCVs still represent a small slice of total fleet volumes.

Despite registrations of zero-emission HGVs doubling earlier this year, they still account for just 1% of the market - highlighting the long road ahead. Joe Hantson, Deputy CEO of DCL, emphasised that while fleets support greener policies, they are progressing at different speeds due to real-world operational challenges.

As the government ramps up its zero-emission vehicle mandate, DCL says brokers will play a key role in helping clients navigate new requirements, manage risk, and adapt to the evolving EV landscape - particularly given their significant influence across leasing channels in the fleet industry.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is launching a new initiative aimed at strengthening compliance among light goods vehicle (LGV) operators over the next year. With a growing number of serious incidents involving LGVs, the agency plans to focus roadside enforcement and engagement efforts on higher-risk sectors, particularly construction and vehicle transport.

Despite the fact that many LGV operators take safety seriously, a worrying proportion continue to operate without proper checks in place. DVSA data shows that over half of LGVs inspected annually lead to enforcement action, often due to dangerous defects, overloading, or poorly secured loads. In fact, LGVs fail their MOTs at a rate four times higher than HGVs, and they’re involved in significantly more serious road accidents.

The DVSA’s strategy includes collaborating with trade associations to promote best practices while also increasing targeted enforcement. With ten times more LGVs than HGVs on UK roads, a more focused approach is needed to encourage compliance and protect all road users.

Tragically, the importance of this work is underscored by incidents like the death of 11-year-old Harry Dennis, killed by an unsecured scaffolding board. The DVSA is urging operators to take responsibility, follow official guidance, and help raise safety standards across the industry.

Amazon is doubling down on its investment in artificial intelligence, using the technology to enhance customer experiences and support its ambition to become net zero by 2040. CEO Andy Jassy described AI advancements as transformative, noting that innovations like generative AI are reshaping what’s possible for both consumers and businesses.

With over two decades of AI experience, Amazon has long embedded machine learning into its operations. Initiatives like Amazon Science were launched to develop solutions that enhance user experiences, solve operational challenges, and work alongside engineering teams. Notably, voice assistant Alexa, introduced in 2014, continues to evolve through natural language processing.

Sustainability is also a major focus of Amazon’s AI strategy. By leveraging AI, the company is optimising warehouse operations, forecasting demand, improving packaging efficiency, and managing carbon emissions more effectively. According to Chief Sustainability Officer Kara Hurst, AI is helping to drive improvements in energy and water usage across Amazon’s facilities, marking just the beginning of its role in environmental efforts.

The launch of Amazon Nova, a suite of next-generation AI models, marks a new chapter. Designed to process text, images, and video, Nova supports a range of content creation needs. SVP Rohit Prasad said it addresses key developer challenges and delivers improved speed, personalisation, and cost efficiency across multiple platforms.

Haulage operators have hit back at recent criticism from HGV drivers who accused them of underpaying and fuelling job shortages through “greed”. The backlash follows claims from some drivers that low wages are discouraging new entrants and threatening the future of the profession, amid predictions that HGV driving roles could vanish by 2029.

However, industry leaders say the criticism overlooks the growing financial strain on transport firms. Michael Doherty of the Doherty Group highlighted soaring equipment costs, including a £60,000 rise in lorry prices and £40,000 increases for specialist trailers. He also cited the burden of higher fuel costs, employer National Insurance hikes, and tight operating margins, warning that these pressures are forcing smaller firms to shut down or be absorbed by larger operators.

Justin Hyde from Mastermac Haulage argued that hauliers are working on razor-thin margins, often below 3%, and cannot afford inflated wage demands. He pointed to significant upfront investments, with trucks costing £140,000 and driver wages already averaging around £50,000, while many full-load jobs struggle to fetch even £400.

CLF Commercials’ Craig Foster added that while drivers are using the shortage to push for better pay, the industry cannot sustain rising costs and wage hikes simultaneously. He warned that the sector’s finances are more stretched than ever.

On 17 July 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London to sign a landmark treaty—the first formal agreement between the UK and Germany since the Second World War. While the treaty focused largely on defence and migration, it also laid the foundation for enhanced economic and technological cooperation.

One key section, titled Economic Growth, Resilience and Competitiveness, outlined joint commitments to boost job creation, support digital innovation, and pursue a sustainable industrial transformation. Both governments agreed to address shared vulnerabilities and align their policies to build a greener, more resilient economy.

The agreement placed a strong emphasis on green energy, with both nations pledging to capitalise on the renewable potential of the North Sea and invest in technologies that support the transition to net zero. Economic opportunity through environmental action was a clear shared priority.

Technology and research also featured heavily, with Starmer and Merz agreeing to structured collaboration on emerging and critical technologies, including artificial intelligence. Regular exchanges between both countries' scientific and innovation communities were promised, with a focus on ensuring the secure and responsible use of new technologies to tackle future global challenges.

In a landmark move for the UK automotive sector, Nissan has launched the country’s first private, shared charging facility dedicated to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs). Located at the Sunderland plant, the £1.4 million project marks the creation of a fully electric supply chain – delivering materials in and transporting completed vehicles out – all while supporting the company’s wider EV36Zero commitment to sustainable vehicle manufacturing.

The charging hub features seven high-capacity stations that can power up to ten eHGVs at once. It will support a fleet of 25 electric trucks handling daily deliveries from suppliers across the UK, including locations as distant as Derby, and transporting vehicles to and from the Port of Tyne. Collectively, the eHGVs will cover over 2.4 million kilometres each year, cutting 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Developed with partners Fergusons, Yusen, and BCA as part of the Electric Freightway initiative led by GRIDSERVE, this pioneering effort is supported by Innovate UK and the UK Government’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV programme.

Government and industry leaders have hailed the project as a vital step toward greener freight transport. With further plans to open access to other hauliers and expand capabilities, the station sets a powerful precedent for future logistics infrastructure in the UK.