The Maritime & Transport Action Group (MTAG), co-chaired by Meachers Global Logistics’ Operations Director, Gary Whittle, has written to local MPs on behalf of Southampton’s business community to raise urgent concerns about the severe shortage of DVSA examiners and the resulting decline in HGV testing capacity across the region.
This coordinated letter reflects the growing alarm from logistics operators, manufacturers, retailers, marine services, and supply chain organisations across the Solent. Southampton’s businesses have united in expressing a clear message: the current lack of HGV testing provision is putting the region’s, and the UK’s, economic resilience at risk.
Why This Matters: Southampton as a National Gateway
As a major global gateway for international trade, Southampton is responsible for moving billions of pounds’ worth of goods every year. From automotive imports and exports to container freight, cruise services, retail distribution, marine supplies, and fuel logistics, the city is a critical artery of UK PLC.
When HGV testing capacity collapses, so does the flow of newly qualified drivers. Without those drivers:
– Shipping containers cannot be collected
– Vehicles cannot be transported
– Retail goods cannot reach distribution centres
– Manufacturing supply chains stall
– Exporters miss shipping windows
– National retailers experience shortages
The Issue: DVSA Examining Shortages Causing a Serious Bottleneck
Historically, Southampton’s training providers, including ByPass Driver Training and 2 Start Training, received DVSA examiner support twice a week, enabling around ten HGV tests weekly.
Recently, this has fallen dramatically due to examiner shortages and staff turnover. In some weeks:
– No HGV tests are available at all
– The region currently has no dedicated DVSA HGV examiner
– Apprentices, job seekers and new entrants cannot progress
Even at previous levels, ten tests a week was barely sufficient for such a major logistics hub. The current situation is untenable.
Businesses fear that without swift action, the pipeline of new drivers will dry up entirely, just as demand across the supply chain returns to peak levels.
Wider Industry Support: Industry Leaders on the Growing Crisis
The letter also reflects the views of industry leaders such as Pete Andrews, Director of By Pass Training who highlights the scale of the problem:
“The examiner shortage is more than just a training challenge; it is becoming a supply chain threat. Without adequate HGV testing capacity in Southampton, freight simply cannot move at the speed our economy requires.”
Paul Moon, Managing Director of 2 Start Ltd added “The DVSA testing bottleneck is worsening the HGV driver shortage. Training providers like us could boost capacity immediately, but current rules prevent it. Allowing qualified providers to conduct tests would raise standards, improve safety, and help fix the crisis.”
This sentiment is echoed across the logistics, maritime, warehousing, and distribution sectors.
A Call for Practical Solutions
The Maritime & Transport Action Group supports a number of industry-led proposals aimed at restoring capacity and protecting road safety standards, including:
– Allowing accredited HGV training providers to conduct testing, as already permitted for O-licensed operators
– Expansion of delegated testing, proven successful with Module 3a and Module 4
– Better DVSA staffing strategies and contingency planning
– A review of DVSA examiner pay to improve recruitment
– Improved communication and transparency from the DVSA
These measures would unlock significant capacity quickly and safely.
Taking Action: A Formal Appeal to MPs
Gary Whittle, as Co-Chair of MTAG and Operations Director at Meachers Global Logistics, has coordinated the submission of a formal letter to local MPs. The letter urges:
– Immediate intervention by the Department for Transport
– Restoration of HGV testing provision in Southampton and Portsmouth
– Consideration of legislative reform for delegated testing
– Recognition of Southampton’s role as a critical national gateway
The goal is simple: to ensure the Solent region, and the UK, maintains a robust, reliable supply of newly qualified HGV drivers to support the logistics that underpin the entire economy.
Strength in Unity
Southampton’s business community is standing together on this issue. The response from regional employers has been unanimous: the current situation is unacceptable and unsustainable.
The Maritime & Transport Action Group will continue working with industry partners, training providers, and government representatives to drive a swift and meaningful solution.
