Qualified Driver Shortage Leads to Restricted Services

UK driver shortage ‘tops 100,000’ – not helped by delays at testing stations.

Driver shortages that have been the norm for decades have intensified due to a serious back log of new driver tests, leaving an estimated driver shortage between 70,000 to 100,000.

Hauliers are frustrated that potential new drivers can’t get on the road and are having to tackle the shortage by using agency drivers and couriers which has pushed up wages making driving even more attractive.

Many claim the backlog is due to the UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cancelling ‘at least’ 30k HGV driver testing slots due to citing Covid as the reason.

What has this got to do with me?

Our warehouse logistics team has been working hard to make sure your deliveries aren’t affected – but they are – by sourcing new couriers and hauliers when necessary. However, SW Logistics – one of our chosen pallet delivery carrier – is no longer able to offer pre-10:30am delivery – but only foresees this for the rest of July.  Dachser, DB Schenker and Gebruder Weiss our main partners in Europe reported similar issues in their supply chain.

With all this said we are facing logical issue same as our manufacturing partners. The combined effect this and custom clearance procedures due to Braxit unfortunately slowed down our supply chain.