Southampton Conference Cracks Down on Goods Vehicle Pollution

With a large number of Drive Personnel clients based in Southampton, talk of Clean Air Zone regulations and emissions surcharges are a worry to the local transport industry. The penalties proposed by Southampton City Council could potentially have a devastating effect on small businesses who don’t have the resources to consolidate freight, create new road networks or invest in newer, lower emission vehicles. In turn, these Clean Air Zone penalties could conceivably affect HGV driving jobs as businesses attempt to consolidate their freight and reduce their use of commercial vehicles.

Read More

IR35 for Drivers & Employers Explained

What is IR35 for drivers? IR35 is a tax legislation aimed at identifying individuals who HMRC believe are failing to pay the tax due. Introduced to the public sector in 2000 by PM Gordon Brown, IR35 was designed to tackle ‘disguised’ employment whereby contractors and their hirers take advantage of the tax efficiency of working…

Read More

Drive Personnel Light Up a Life with Countess Mountbatten Hospice

Drive Personnel were delighted to be the headline sponsor for Countess Mountbatten Hospice’s annual Light Up a Life event once again this year, inviting families to remember a loved one at Christmas by dedicating a light in their memory. Managing Director Chris Bryant first became involved with the Hospice following the tragic loss of six…

Read More

The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Drivers

Being responsible for a heavy goods vehicle is a hazardous occupation, especially when handling and transporting dangerous goods. At Drive Personnel, we take the safety of our drivers very seriously and provide all of our HGV drivers with personal protective equipment to mitigate the risk of injury when necessary.  What is PPE? Personal protective equipment…

Read More

Road to Logistics: How the UK is Tackling Driver Shortages

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) estimates a national shortage of approximately 50,000 qualified HGV drivers, and with a quarter of the industry workforce due to retire in the next decade, there has never been a more important time for a national campaign to train and develop more HGV drivers. Brexit In addition to the existing…

Read More

The Impact of the Amazon Effect on the Logistics Industry

With the growing popularity of online shopping via Amazon, there has been increased pressure on other eCommerce websites and online retailers to provide a similar service, with fast (and often free) delivery.  This has inevitably put increased pressure on logistics services, specifically as a result of the changing expectations of customers, and in particular an…

Read More

How to Become an HGV Driver

There is currently a national shortage of over 50,000 HGV drivers, and with the average age of UK drivers at 53, the industry is lacking younger drivers to fulfil the next generation of recruits. What skills does an HGV driver need? To become an HGV driver, you must be over the age of 18 and…

Read More

Will the nationwide driver shortage be solved by more female HGV drivers?

Opportunities for Female HGV Drivers This year, Jodie Lawson became the youngest female lorry driver in the UK. Having started her training just months after her 18th birthday, the fashion student passed both her Class 1 and Class 2 HGV training in May. Growing up around heavy goods vehicles in the family freight transport business…

Read More

The Countess Mountbatten Sunflower Memory Walk

Drive Personnel supports hospice charity walk On 23rd June 2019, the Countess Mountbatten Hospice brought together over 450 people in Broadlands, Romsey for the Sunflower Walk, a fantastic fundraising and remembrance event in which the Drive Personnel team were pleased to take part. The hospice has been caring for people with life-limiting illnesses for over…

Read More