The shortage of HGV drivers has got so bad it seems even drivers in their 80s are being asked if they’d consider getting behind the wheel again.
An acute shortage of hauliers has caused chaos at petrol stations, empty shelves and headaches for anyone working in the manufacturing and retail industries.
In a bid to fill the shortfall of drivers, the government sent out 1,000,000 letters to try and entice qualified licence holders back to work.
But one retired driver in his 80s was surprised when a letter from the Department of Transport dropped through his door.
David Brown, from Ilminster in Somerset started driving when he was just 17 and had a career that spanned six decades until he stopped working in 2019.
He said he was ‘shocked and surprised’ to receive a letter from the DfT asking if he wanted to drive again, adding: ‘I didn’t think they would come to people like me older people.
‘But sometimes older people are more reliable than the youngsters.’
David drove school buses for the last 20 years and kept his HGV licence when he stepped away from work.
He said: ‘My brother lives in London and he has had one. He rang me last week and asked me if I had had one.
‘I said yes and he said “so have I”. But he is 10 years younger than me. He might well go back to do it – I don’t know.
‘I’m a glutton for punishment. I like working. I would do it if the right thing came about. I don’t know if my sons would want me to.’
The DFT said letters were sent out automatically to HGV drivers.
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Source: Metro
