Youngsters could help the UK to keep on trucking - News

• UK currently faces a shortage of 100,000 truck drivers
• Children as young as 10 years old can actually learn to drive a HGV
• TrackDays.co.uk believes long term planning could provide an answer to the current HGV driver shortage

As the UK faces a shortage of truck drivers, youngsters could offer a glimmer of hope for the future of HGV transport with one of our Junior Truck Driving Experiences we have available to book here on TrackDays.

Indeed, children as young as 10 years old can get their first experience of driving a HGV at UK wide venues by getting in the cab and learning some basic driving skills.

And with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) saying there is currently a shortage of 100,000 drivers in the UK, there could be plenty of vacancies to fill by those youngsters who decide it is the career for them.

Factors for the current shortage include Brexit, with foreign drivers no longer available, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, which has resulted in thousands of HGV driving tests being lost.

Dan Jones, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, says: "The UK faces a very real problem with the current shortage of truck drivers."

"Long term planning offers one solution, encouraging youngsters to experience driving a HGV at a very early age so they can see if it's something that interests them is one of the potentially effective ways to help address the issue."

An actual junior truck driving experience really puts youngsters to the test, and involves taking the wheel of a 480 bhp DAF truck under the guidance of a HGV instructor.

Youngsters then drive the huge vehicle around a specially designed course, using no less than 16 gears and are presented with a driving experience certificate upon completion.

Dan adds: "Children as young as 10 years old are getting behind the wheel of a HGV and showing the adults how it's done. As well as being great fun, a junior truck driving experience also gives youngsters a confidence boost as they discover a new skill."

Visit our Truck Driving page today on the TrackDays website to book from available dates on our Events Calendar or purchase one of our open Gift Vouchers for the Junior Trucker in your life!