Armed Forces: Driving

Bob Russell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on encouraging members of the armed forces to improve their driving skills through (a) the Advanced Drivers Test and (b) refresher driving courses; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg
The MOD recognises and promotes the benefits of improving driving skills to all members of the armed forces. The Department’s guidance (JSP 800, Pt 5) encourages transport managers, road safety committees and road safety advisers to participate in national safe driving awards, and to develop driving skills. Any driver who has had familiarisation training on a particular vehicle but has not driven that vehicle for a period of 12 months or more, should receive refresher training.

For many years, MOD has worked with organisations such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, to provide service personnel with the opportunity to take an advanced driving test. The Army provides many of its personnel with a pre-paid test voucher in order to do so.

Ann Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what licence is required for military personnel in theatre to drive the (a) Snatch land rover, (b) WMIK, (c) E-WMIK, (d) M-WMIK, (e) variants of Pinzgauer Vectors, (f) Mastiff and (g) Future Ridgeback vehicles.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
MOD policy is to comply with Department for Transport Driver Licensing regulations at all times, whether on operations or not. All the vehicles listed weigh over 3.5 tonnes; therefore all drivers of these vehicles are required to hold a category C licence.