The Maritime and Transport Action Group (MTAG) has written to MPs warning of the severe shortage of DVSA examners and the resulting decline in HGV testing capacity across the Southampton and Portsmouth region.
In its letter MTAG, which is co-chaired by Gary Whittle, Meachers Global Logistics operations director, explained that in previous years, local training providers could rely on DVSA examiners visiting twice each week, allowing up to ten HGV tests to be conducted.
However, significant examiner turnover has seen the number of available tests decline sharply. There is currently no dedicated DVSA HGV examiner allocated to Southampton or Portsmouth.
Test numbers have fallen from ten per week to four, and in some weeks no HGV tests are available at all, the letter reveals, leaving training providers unable to meet demand and slowing the introduction of new drivers into a sector suffering a critical shortage of drivers.
MTAG’s letter warns that this shortage of HGV drivers creates risks for the Solent region’s resilience and for the wider national economy.
The letter calls for immediate government intervention to restore HGV testing capacity and protect regional and national supply chain resilience.
The group recommends increased DVSA staffing and enhanced recruitment processes for examiners. It also calls for clear contingency plans to ensure continuity when examiners are absent.
MTAG also wants the government to consider widening the scope of delegated testing, as well as reviewing legislation, so that accredited training providers may be granted authority to conduct HGV testing where appropriate.
According to the group, these measures would increase testing capacity quickly while maintaining safety and quality standards.
The letter points out that Southampton Port is one of the UK’s most important international gateways, handling billions of pounds of freight every year and playing a vital role in the movement of automotive imports and exports, containerised goods, cruise services, retail distribution and energy supply.
MTAG is warning that if the flow of new HGV drivers continues to slow due to a lack of testing capacity, the effects will be felt far beyond Southampton and across key national supply chains.
MTAG co-chair Gary Whittle said: “Southampton is not simply a regional port, it is a central driver of the UK economy.
“When the flow of new drivers slows, the ability to move goods in and out of the port is compromised. That affects retailers, manufacturers, exporters and the wider public.”
He emphasised that the situation has reached a critical point, warning that if the Solent region cannot train and test the drivers it requires, the impact will spread to every sector that depends on the reliable movement of goods.
This includes retail, manufacturing, maritime operations and construction. Whittle urged the government to recognise the urgency of the issue and take swift action.
Pete Andrews, director at local HGV training provider By Pass Training, commented:”The shortage of DVSA examiners is becoming a supply chain threat.
“Without sufficient HGV testing capacity in Southampton, the region cannot move freight at the speed required to support the UK economy.”
