As part of a series of measures to help NRI Instructors during the COVID 19 restrictions, NRI has gained approval from DVSA for the remote delivery of the NRI AFV training course.  NRI Instructors can continue to offer AFV training without the risks associated with face to face delivery.

With the importance of having all available capacity in the delivery sector and many new delivery drivers being recruited, this enables newly recruited team members to drive AFVs under the 3.5-tonne derogation.

The course is fully compliant with the DVSA/OLEV syllabus and is a PowerPoint presentation. It can be delivered using any interactive platform to groups of drivers in a meeting room or training room with appropriate ICT facilities.  This brings no additional costs for an NRI instructor who has already purchased the PowerPoint set from NRI.

During the current restrictions, the NRI team are working from home, therefore, should you wish to purchase the PowerPoint presentation, please contact a member of the team on 07933 825933.

Due to COVID-19, the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) has announced that practical and theory driving tests are now suspended, with just a few exceptions.

If the LGV drivers you are training have tests booked or you are expecting your trainee drivers to be taking their tests imminently, here’s what you need to know about the changes.

Driving tests will continue for ‘critical’ workers

All types of driving theory tests have been suspended for one month and all types of practical driving tests have been suspended for up to three months. This will affect those training to be professional van or LGV drivers, as well as those learning to drive a car.

However, for LGV, van or car drivers whose work is critical to the coronavirus response or who work in a critical sector, emergency tests are available.

What is a critical sector for drivers?

The DVSA has suggested that critical sectors will include:

• Health and social care
• Education and childcare
• Key public services
• Local and national government
• Food and other necessary goods
• Public safety and national security
• Transport
• Utilities, communication and financial services

How to book an emergency driving test

Only emergency tests for drivers in critical sectors can be booked with DVSA to take place in the next three months. Dedicated email addresses have been set up so that these can be arranged easily.

To request a theory test, email: covid19essentialworkerstheorytest@dvsa.gov.uk

To request a practical driving test, email: covid19essentialworkersdrivingtest@dvsa.gov.uk

The DVSA will then reply to advise what information trainee drivers must provide in order that the test can go ahead.

What if a test was already booked?

Theory tests that were due to take place between now and 20th April have all been automatically cancelled and refunded. Refunds may take several weeks to arrive. Theory tests can be re-booked for 21st April onwards.

Practical tests have been rebooked for around 3 months after the date they were originally due to take place. This will be notified via email.

Need to know more?

For more information or advice on managing driver training and testing during these unusual circumstances, or if you didn’t get the response from DVSA that you’d expected, don’t hesitate to contact the NRI team who are on hand to provide guidance and support and take up issues with the DVSA. Call us now on +44 (0) 1952 520210.

Or for specific assistance with cancelling, rescheduling or booking driving tests, contact the DVSA service centre on customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk or learn more on the DVSA website.

In light of the evolving coronavirus situation and following the most recent Government guidelines, the National Register of LGV Instructors (NRI) has decided to suspend all Instructor and Assessor examinations until Government advice dictates otherwise. We fully understand and appreciate that this will affect both individuals and examination centres, however, the priority is to protect the candidates, examination centre staff and examiners. There will be a regular review of the situation, and should guidance from the Government change, removing the need for social distancing, then we will of course, resume examinations.

In the meantime, we could find ourselves in a situation where many instructors on the register reach their renewal date. As we are unable to ascertain how long social distancing will be in place, the NRI has taken the following steps with immediate effect:

Registered Instructors:

• During this period of social distancing you will be allowed to remain on the NRI even in the event of registration expiry
• Once it has been deemed safe to socially interact, the NRI will contact you. We will then allow three months from the date of notification for you to apply and successfully complete your NRI examination

Examination Centres:

• If your Examination Centre is due for renewal during the social distancing period, you will be contacted by the NRI and your annual audit will be completed remotely. Details on how we conduct the audit in this way will be communicated to you beforehand.

The National Register of LGV Instructors (NRI) has launched the first nationally recognised LGV Assessor qualification, acknowledging skill and providing new professional development opportunities.

The new qualification, which has been rolled out since May 2019, enables successful candidates to join the NRI’s LGV Assessor Register for 5 years. On qualifying, they are issued with an LGV Assessor ID card and added to the online register at the NRI website.

So far, more than 20 people have joined the NRI LGV Assessor register, and the NRI is seeing a continually high level of enquiries regarding the new Assessor examination. Carlisle-based SP Training trained one of the first assessors to be examined and qualify for their NRI Assessor card – Dave Stones of Yodel.

“It’s important that there is consistency across assessment and marking and providing standardisation that is transferrable across the industry will improve efficiency,” says Tony Higgins, Managing Director for SP Training. “One of SP Training’s key objectives is to help companies meet consistent safety standards so we welcome the Assessor qualification and the benefits it will bring to both individual operators and the industry as a whole.”

An LGV Assessor is typically responsible for conducting LGV driver assessments and monitoring driver performance. Assessments can be conducted for numerous reasons, such as following an incident, an extended period of leave or evaluating driver skills prior to offering employment. Assessors cannot conduct driver training or examinations and are often former, or current, LGV drivers on route to becoming an LGV Instructor.

“Before now, there was no formal recognition for the important role of LGV Assessor,” says Dave Cox, NRI Manager. “Although this is something brand new to the industry, it has already received a warm welcome as businesses want to ensure that those responsible for assessing LGV drivers are independently and professionally qualified.”

On joining the register, Assessors have access to free technical advice, exclusive professional development opportunities and discounts on selected products and services from NRI partner organisations. The qualification also enables Assessors to prove to employers that they have been independently examined, achieved the required levels of skill and knowledge and are committed to upholding high quality LGV driver assessment standards.

The addition of the new register means that two types of NRI membership are currently available – Assessor and Instructor, with a third category expected to be launched later in 2019. The DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency), which endorses the NRI and has helped guide its development since launching in 2017, has welcomed the expansion of the examination process and register.

“DVSA shares the NRI’s mission to promote higher standards of LGV instruction, assessment and mentoring,” says Mark Winn, DVSA’s Chief Driving Examiner.

“DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving. By providing the haulage industry with a workforce of independently examined and registered driver instructors, NRI will help increase the competence of professional lorry drivers,” he continues. “The higher the standard of LGV instruction, assessment and mentoring, the better drivers will be and the safer our roads will be.”

The NRI Instructor register currently has 560 members and remains the only DVSA endorsed registered led by the industry, for the industry.

The NRI is operated by RTITB, the leading standards setting body for workplace transport training, on a not-for-profit basis and is supported by the FTA (Freight Transport Association) and RHA (Road Haulage Association). It is regularly audited by a governance committee to reassure members of quality, standards and neutrality. The committee includes representatives of both large and small logistics, transport and training organisations alongside trade associations.

To apply to take the new Assessor qualification, or to find out more about joining the NRI Instructor register, call Dave Cox on 01952 520210 or email LGVinstructorregister@rtitb.co.uk .

Employers can find details of NRI registered Instructors and Assessors, and more information, by visiting www.lgvinstructorregister.com .

The National Register of LGV Instructors (NRI) has launched a new qualification that will help employers conduct and report on LGV driver assessments more easily. This is the only DVSA endorsed LGV Assessor qualification available across the UK.

Designed for professionals in the transport and logistics industry, the LGV Assessor qualification proves that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct and report on driver assessments.

NRI Qualified LGV Assessors can systematically and professionally assess the quality of potential new staff to see if they are suitable for an LGV driving job. They can also assess existing staff members who are prone to accidents or incidents and help define the training needs for future development.

“Many businesses don’t need an onsite instructor, but they do need someone to professionally monitor and assess current and new LGV drivers,” says David Cox, Manager of the National Register of LGV Instructors. “Until now there was no formal recognition for an LGV Assessor role and all it involves.”

While periodic assessments help satisfy company policies, LGV Assessors can also provide mentoring and support to current and prospective drivers, helping to retain staff and improve the quality and efficiency of the workforce.

“The LGV Assessor qualification provides independent evidence of a business’ commitment to high quality, structured LGV driver training,” says David. “It also demonstrates that they are committed to investing in their employees by providing them with a professional, industry recognised qualification that is endorsed by DVSA.”

The Assessor qualification is obtained following a theory test which includes assessment techniques, driving legislation, highway code, eco-safe driving and other topics. Practical driving skills are evaluated for one hour while a role play scenario tests their assessment ability.

Upon successful completion of the examination, candidates will be on the NRI LGV Assessor register for 5 years with access to free technical advice and exclusive professional development opportunities. They will be issued with the NRI LGV Assessor card, and their name will appear on the NRI website.

“The new qualification provides a pathway for drivers wishing to develop their career. Once on the register as an assessor, they can potentially progress to instructor level,” says David. “This is also a great way for employers who have their own on-site driver development team to retain good staff that show potential.”

Launched in 2017, the National Register of LGV Instructors (NRI) is the only DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) endorsed Register led by the industry, for the industry. It is operated by RTITB, supported by the FTA (Freight Transport Association) and RHA (Road Haulage Association) and is run on a not-for-profit basis.

“Our aim is to promote higher standards of LGV instruction and also now assessment and mentoring, and increase the number of registered driver development professionals,” says David.

There are currently over 500+ instructors registered with NRI, and the qualification can only be obtained by taking the examination through an approved NRI examination centre.

For information on the Assessor qualification or to register with the National Register of LGV Instructors, contact LGVinstructorregister@rtitb.co.uk or call NRI on 01952 520210.

There are just over 80 days to go until Talent in Logistics Conference 2019!

As an event that is dedicated to nurturing the talent and development of those who work in warehousing and logistics, Talent in Logistics has always been an event we’re proud to support.

On 27th June 2019, come see the NRI team at the conference’s Information Zone, an exhibition area that enables attendees to meet with some key suppliers from throughout the industry.
If you’re attending and are new to the NRI, why not speak to us about our new LGV Assessor qualification, the first recognised Assessor qualification to be endorsed by DVSA and supported by the RHA and FTA. The team will be on hand to talk about the benefits of this new qualification, how individuals and employers can get their trainers registered as an NRI Assessor, and how this can be a great career development step for any individuals looking to progress to an Instructor level in the future. We will also be discussing the benefits of becoming an NRI Exam Centre and our growing network of NRI LGV Instructors.

We will have some freebies available throughout the day, so make sure you stop by the NRI stand if you’re attending!

In addition to the Information Zone, which is free to attend, the Talent in Logistics Conference will also be hosting a series of key seminars throughout the day. Access to the seminar sessions costs £95 +VAT per person.

If you’re looking to gain some new knowledge and skills to help you within your role, or you’re been looking for way to earn relevant CPD, why not take a look at the agenda for the day’s seminars? Some key seminars include:

• Workforce Development – A Success Story: Liz Veasey, Yusen Logistics
• Employment Engagement – A Success Story: Colin Donnelly, Sainsbury’s Argos
• 5 Key Principles of Performance: Steve Backley, OBE

For more information on Talent in Logistics, visit the event website here. Book your FREE Information Zone ticket here.

The driving theory hazard perception test has been updated this year to include extreme weather conditions, such as snow, wind, heavy rain, and evening or night settings. The test includes 14 video clips, each showing a number of hazards the driver must note on a computerised system. In a real life scenario, the driver may have to change their speed, change their direction, or make an emergency stop.

The exam aims to test prospective drivers’ reactions to ongoing or developing hazards, so they can competently respond when they’d passed their test in varying conditions. It’s been proven that the hazard testing process prevents and reduces accidents on the roads, and the Department for Transport states that it could be responsible for an 11% reduction in road accidents. Not only does that figure account for a large proportion of drivers, hundreds of lives could have been saved by this initiative.

Mark Winn, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Chief Driving Examiner, stated that ‘DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving. Every year too many people are injured on our roads by hazards frequently encountered by drivers and we are determined to do more. We know the theory test helps saves lives, so we are using computer-generated imagery (CGI) clips to further improve road safety.’

Figures produced by The Department for Transport state that there were 16,406 accidents in rain, sleet, snow or fog on Britain’s roads in 2017 – highlighting the need for a variety of training. A whopping 205 fatal accidents took place during those weather conditions in the same year, heightening the risk posed to drivers. For example, stopping distances are doubled in rainy conditions; and in icy or snowy weather, it can be as much as ten times more than the normal stopping distance.

Jesse Norman, Road Safety Minister, said that ‘these new hazard perception clips offer more realistic driving conditions to test a learner driver’s ability, preparing them for overcoming the real-life challenges they will face on the road – something that should benefit all road users.’

These will be introduced from the 1^st of December for the motorcycle theory test – while lorry, bus, and coach theory examinations will be introduced from early 2019. While these new features are being implemented, the pass mark and scoring hasn’t changed. More information including examples of the new test scenes can be found here.

Following a review of the first year of the NRI, the Governance Committee decided to move to a more interactive way of working which reduces time spent travelling to and attending meetings.

Each quarter the NRI team email the Governance Committee a pack containing an update of the key performance information and read the papers relating to issues or questions where we need your input. Members then read the papers and send the team an email with any queries, comments or advice. Governance Committee members raise and share issues with fellow members by sending items ahead of a quarterly update so that it is included within the papers that are circulated.

Each update contains:

1. Performance data
2. A note of actions agreed in previous quarter and how these have been progressed
3. Any papers related to matters raised by committee members or external events of changes
4. Any updates to NRI Governance Committee Membership

The Governance Committee will hold one face to face meeting each year where as well as general business, we will receive the audit report from the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The next updates will be sent to the Governance Committee at:

• End of August 2018
• End of November 2018, prior to a face to face meeting
• End of March 2019

Once the Governance Committee have reviewed the NRI performance data and activity updates, we will publish a quarterly summary on this page.