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Charlotte Haye 23rd June 2017

HGV Drivers Go Digital

Being an HGV driver is a very heavily, well-regulated profession. Because you are in charge of a very large, cumbersome vehicle with the capability to injure or even kill people if handled incorrectly, as well as the risk of being used for illegal transportation, the amount of documentation and training required is very high. These documents ensure that you as a driver are licensed and trained, that your cargo is legal and safe and that your vehicle itself is in tip-top condition. This all adds up to a well-run haulage system that keeps everyone involved safe and happy. Except for one thing. With all of those checks and licences comes a lot of paperwork – from rest logs, security check documents, driving licences, to passports and any other permits you might need, which resulted in some messy cabs strewn with paper. But now, the DVLA are introducing some changes that could see HGV drivers ditch the paperwork for good.

What Are The Changes?

Back in March, the DVLA announced that motorists would be able to have a digital copy of their drivers’ license on their phones as early as next year. While they wouldn’t be doing away with the traditional plastic license in the same breath, they did state that this would soon become the go-to option for many drivers. Drivers won’t need to have access to the internet in order to bring up their license, and they won’t have to spend time looking for a plastic license any time they need to show it. While this might be convenient for ordinary motorists, it will be particularly helpful for HGV drivers, who need to access their documentation the most frequently. This comes on top of the announcements that digital passports are on their way too, which, just like digital driving licenses, have been designed for security as well as convenience.

The Benefits Of Going Digital

OK, so we don’t mean ditch the paperwork as in removing it from the process. Instead what we mean is that physical paper will no longer play a big role in an HGV drivers day to day life. Taking this beyond the simple drivers’ license example, many new technologies are being announced to help HGV drivers manage all of the paperwork they need to carry digitally. So instead of carrying around reams of paperwork, they would be able to use their phone or tablet to store and access everything. For example, one process very specific to HGV drivers is the practice of tracking and recording their hours. This is incredibly important because, as we have mentioned before, tired drivers can cause serious accidents. There are now more and more apps being developed for HGV drivers to track their hours on the road, as well as their rest stops and even their vehicle safety checks.

All of these digital documentation advances are making the job of the HGV driver much easier to manage, allowing them to focus more on driving safely and less on paperwork. It also has the benefit of being better for the environment – something the HGV industry isn’t historically very good at. But even that is changing – with Tesla announcing just this month that they have plans to produce an all-electric HGV, to be unveiled in the summer. With all of these new advantages making HGV driving a slicker, simpler process, it’s no wonder it’s become such an attractive career proposition. To take advantage and start your HGV adventure, just get in touch with us to find out more.