Federated Farmers Submission on Drivers Licensing Review – Discussion Paper

Federated Farmers takes a keen interest in this consultation. We represent businesses that benefit from an efficient application of the Graduated Drivers License System (GDLS), both directly and indirectly. The primary sector generates a significant amount of freight on a per tonne basis and while most farmers choose to make use of contract transport companies, many farmers operate their own heavy vehicles. Efficiently training staff to operate this machinery is vital for farm businesses and a large part of that is ensuring they have timely access to the right licence qualification. However, farmers are also car drivers and as such are committed to ensuring that high standards of safety for all road users are balanced against the need to ensure timely and easy access to driver licences and drivers licences services.