Instruments of interest
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1128)
6.Ambulance drivers must pass the driving test for medium size lorries (category C1) before being given further specialised training. Demand from all sectors for HGV tests is currently very high and so these Regulations make two changes that allow ambulance driver testing to continue at pace and free up further test slots at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) test sites for HGV logistics drivers. First, it allows NHS ambulance services to appoint invigilators to conduct theory tests and examiners to conduct manoeuvres, practical and unitary tests for their employees. Second, it allows the other emergency services and the Ministry of Defence, which all already have their own examiners, to “cross-test”, that is, to conduct tests for each other. To ensure that test standards are maintained all delegated examiners at the emergency services are trained by the DVSA and are regularly checked to ensure their skills and standards are at the required level.
Statement of changes in Immigration Rules (CP 542)
7.These changes to the Immigration Rules were laid on 11 October and brought into immediate effect. They allow up to 5,500 poultry workers and 4,700 people to undertake haulage driving for the food industry to come to the UK temporarily using the Seasonal Worker immigration route. Applications from poultry workers must be made before 15 November 2021 as the scheme permission ends on 31 December 2021. Applications from haulage drivers for the food industry must be made before 1 December 2021 so they can be in the UK for a meaningful amount of time before their permission ends on 28 February 2022. This instrument does not set any vaccination requirements as those are to be determined separately by the Department of Health and Social Care.