More new female HGV drivers are joining the industry than their counterparts in the bus and coach sector, figures have revealed.
Data obtained in a freedom of information request by training firm HGVC showed there has been a 144% increase in the number of females securing category C and C+E licences over the last decade, compared with a 105% increase in PCV driving.
HGVC said the DVLA figures revealed that there had been 27,200 category trucking licences secured by women between 2013 and 2023.
This compared with 11,506 new category D and D+E licences over the same period.
HGVC said this suggested that the government’s initiatives to tackle the driver shortage and broaden the pool of drivers in haulage were having a positive impact.
The training company said it had secured a record number of applications from women, ethnic minorities and younger people, with 7% of its trainees having been female – significantly more than the 1% of women who are HGV drivers in the UK.
In addition, around 25% of HGVC trainees have been black, asian, or from other ethnically diverse groups, compared to an industry average of 4%.
James Clifford, HGVC chief executive, said: “Both the HGV and PCV sectors need to train more drivers and attracting a more diverse pool of candidates is crucial to this strategy.
“These figures suggest that the HGV sector is doing a better job at appealing to new female drivers.
“We’ve seen a concerted effort within the HGV sector, both from government and industry, to attract more female drivers, with the skills bootcamps in particular addressing some of the key barriers to training.
“This is making a positive impact, though there is still clearly some way to go.”
