§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact the European Directive on Compulsory Training for LGV and PCV drivers will have on voluntary minibus drivers required to hold a D1 driving licence. [14939]
§ Mr. SpellarWe have sought to assess the impact by seeking the views of interested parties on the draft Directive, including the exemptions it proposed to the compulsory training requirement. Copies of the Consultation Paper were placed in the House Libraries. As discussions have progressed, we have held meetings with groups with particular interests in minibus drivers, such as the Community Transport Association and the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
Persons driving minibuses as volunteers may usually do so on the basis of holding a car driving licence. Under European driving licence laws they are exempt from the normal requirement to hold the higher standard vocational driving licence, provided they can satisfy the exemption conditions which generally relate to age and experience.
Discussions on the draft Directive have established that drivers who are not required to hold a vocational driving licence will not be required to undertake the compulsory training requirement.