A former HGV driver has said changes made to how drivers access the Port of Southampton may cause shortages.

Dave Monk said motorists have to carry out a terminal awareness course before being issued with a driver ID card - which could discourage lorry drivers from delivering to the port.

The annual course, called terminal awareness course (TAC), which drivers must take is based on a three-year cycle. This means drivers pay £50 for the first year and then £35 a year for two years before this is repeated.

Daily Echo: Dave MonkDave Monk (Image: UHC)

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Speaking to the Echo, the 65-year-old - who was a HGV driver for 39 years before becoming an instructor - said: “A lot of [drivers] are not very happy because they’re going to have to pay for it.

“£50 for some letter nowadays is a lot.

“I wouldn’t think it would cost that much. Maybe £10 or something - but £50 seems quite steep. Especially when it was free before.

“They said it was to do with security, which is fair enough - but still.”

He added: “The older drivers will probably just stop driving, which is not good considering there is a shortage of HGV drivers.

“The young drivers will stay and will either have to pay, or their companies will pay for this, but you sometimes get retired drivers who may just want to do the occasional job who won’t be able to do it anymore.

“It’s sad because you’re losing all that experience, especially at a time when there are shortages.”

DP World, which runs the port, explained why the new system has been introduced on its website, saying: “The TAC is an essential tool to provide drivers with the knowledge to operate safely and efficiently within the terminal, together with preparing for the new gate complex and ensuring all port users have a suitable level of understanding and knowledge to operate on the terminal safely.”

The difference in cost for the first year represents 'the various infrastructure and IT / system functionality phases that will be implemented in the future', the operator said.

DP World was approached for comment.