A partnership of industry stakeholders has been set up to create and oversee the new voluntary trailer training accreditation scheme for motorists towing for business and leisure.

The government is committed to road safety and encouraging drivers to get professional training before towing for the first time or refresh their skills for regular or seasonal towing activities.

Webinars were held with car and trailer trainers in November 2021 to gain their ideas and feedback on how the scheme should work, which has supported its development.

The National Council for Accredited Trailer Training

The partnership – known as The National Council for Accredited Trailer Training – will be made up of the accrediting bodies, trailer stakeholder groups, including the NCC, DVSA and the Department for Transport.

The council will be a forum which considers strategic issues around good practice amongst the industry, take-up rates, how the syllabus is being delivered and whether overall standards are being met.

The accrediting bodies and the scheme’s aim

The accrediting bodies will accredit the trainers and run the scheme.  A number of organisations have expressed interest in becoming recognised by DVSA as accrediting bodies for trailer training.

The scheme aims to:

• make sure drivers who tow a trailer have the skills, knowledge and competencies to tow safely
• for those towing a trailer in connection with their work, help ensure an employer’s corporate responsibilities to make sure safe working practices are met

The scheme will provide a core module for all drivers, as well as sector specific modules for different towing activities. It is expected to launch in March 2022.