Tuesday 31 December 2013
Media enquiry from the Guernsey Press
Media enquiry from Anna Brehaut, Guernsey Press:
I am doing an article about Alderney looking at creating its own HGV licence, which drivers would only be able to use in Alderney.
The Estates and Services Committee have told me they are looking at this because they are struggling to get enough HGV drivers in the island. Guernsey has said the current vehicle they want to use to do HGV tests is not the right size and is not good enough.
One member told me that he thought it would be relatively easy to go about getting an Alderney specific licence but Guernsey vehicle licensing department had been difficult about it.
I wondered if I could ask the department a couple of questions regarding this issue?
Is the department aware that Alderney is looking to introduce its own HGV licence?
Is the department working with Alderney on this?
What does the department think of Alderney's idea?
Why Can't Alderney use the vehicle that it wants to?
What does the department say to claims that it is being difficult about Alderney implementing its own HGV licensing regime?
Environment Department response:
The Environment Department Board has not been formally approached by the States of Alderney about this suggestion, although some brief discussions have been held at staff level. The Department disputes the claim that it has been difficult about progressing the suggestion. However, in its initial discussions, staff have been honest and open about the significant cost and resources of a separate Alderney only licence, the need for legislative amendments and the operational difficulties that it would need to overcome to bring about such a change. It is a matter for Alderney as to whether it wished to pursue its own domestic legislation to create its own category of licence but such a licence would not be exchangeable with the Guernsey licence. The Guernsey licence is exchangeable with the UK licence because Guernsey seeks to ensure that its test and vehicle standards are compatible with the UKs.
The reason that some HGV vehicles have not been deemed suitable for a driving test in Alderney is because they do not meet the minimum test vehicle standards adopted by Guernsey to ensure compatibility with the UK. The Department has a list of standards that the vehicle must meet so that it is safe, appropriate and is representative of its category. These are listed on its website. Regrettably, the large vehicles in Alderney that learner drivers have wished to use on test fall short on one or more criteria. Of course if Alderney was to adopt a non exchangeable Alderney only licence it would be able to set its own test and vehicle standards and create its own category of licence.
An Alderney resident does have the option of hiring a vehicle and taking a test in Guernsey.
-ENDS-
