It’s no game
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has called on MPs to move towards licencing the automotive retail sector.
The institute will present MPs with information from recently conducted consumer research, which shows that over 70% of voters think it’s already a requirement for technicians in the motor industry to hold a licence to practise.
The lobbying follows the recent news that the government plans to have driverless cars on UK roads by 2015 – information which the IMI believes represents the final straw in the need for legislation. They propose to argue that modern vehicle technology has reached a level where regulation is necessary to ensure automotive technicians are competent – for the safety of motorists.
The IMI has received the ‘in principle’ support of several major companies and organisations for licensing including AutoGlass, Inchcape UK and TrustFord, with the IMI looking to build a consensus in the independent aftermarket during the campaign.
IMI CEO, Steve Nash explained: “The imminent prospect of autonomous vehicles on UK roads makes the issue of licensing extremely urgent. The proliferation of hybrid vehicles and complex driver assist systems has already increased the skills requirements for effective and safe working on modern vehicles. Service technicians without the proper training are increasingly putting themselves and motorists at risk.
“Our parliamentary research suggests that MPs currently see the motor industry as low skilled, low paid and dirty. It is vital that they and the public come to a better understanding of the requirements necessary to work on modern vehicles, especially with a new wave of technology on the horizon.”
The template for licensing already exists in the Professional Register, so the IMI feel there is no excuse not to proceed with licencing with many skilled operators in the industry previously calling for it so they aren’t forced to compete with rogue traders who put motorists at risk.
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