Pass rates for HGV licence tests taken across the UK in 2018 has revealed that the number of female truck drivers entering the industry has increased three-fold in the last 10 years.
According to DVSA statistics, on average, female candidates pass at a higher rate than male counterparts, with nationwide female pass rates standing at 60 per cent, compared to male pass rates for the UK of 57.9 per cent.
However, the figures also show there are over 10 times more males taking the tests than females – so despite their lower pass rates, licenced male HGV drivers will outnumber their female colleagues by 10 to 1.
But regardless, compared to 10 years ago, the number of females taking the LGV licence test is increasing significantly.
“Professional driving of large goods vehicles should not be dominated by males, and it’s great to see a three-fold increase in female LGV licence holders,” said Simon Fitton, transport manager at Crown Oil – an operator that’s celebrating the uptick in qualified female drivers. “The fact that women have higher pass rates should mean employers need to be doing all they can to increase women drivers in their fleet.”
In terms of the towns and cities with the most tests conducted, Manchester topped the list with 4998 tests taken last year, with a pass rate of 49.4 per cent – though this was -8.9 per cent below the national average. London was next at 4384 tests taken, with a pass rate of 57 per cent (-1.3 per cent below the UK average).
Topping the list of towns and cities registering tests taken by female drivers, Newark had a female pass rate of 94.7 per cent compared to 82 per cent for male counterparts. Hereford was next, with a female pass rate of 92.9 per cent, compared to 84 per cent of males passing.
“At Crown Oil, our team of fuel suppliers is growing and with Manchester leading the way in terms of tests conducted, we are eager to welcome female drivers to our fleet,” Fitton concluded.
