Some 1,200 drivers had to lay off work last year due to a new automation system at CBR. Due to delays, their driving licences were not renewed on time.
This is what the Brabants Dagblad writes. According to the newspaper, Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) received 20 complaints from members about CBR in December alone. "Their drivers are sitting at home and that is really not acceptable in the current labour market. It used to go wrong a few times a year, but this morning alone we received two more reports.''
1,200 drivers not approved on time
Drivers have to undergo medical checks every five years before their licences are renewed. People with health problems have to be examined more often. In 2018, the agency processed 650,000 health certificates, about 8 per cent more than in 2017. Of these, about 60,000 were from professional drivers.
CBR says it is doing all it can to prevent this group from getting into trouble. "Precisely because we know how important the driving licence is, people with a large driving licence are given priority in dealing with it," says CBR's Irene Heldens. "In 98 per cent of cases, they succeed within the four-month deadline. In some 1,200 drivers last year, this did not succeed.'' They were not allowed to practise their profession for several days to weeks.
Automation system the cause
TLN blames the delay on the switch from a paper to a digital system. "A new automation system is the cause. Then relevant documents turn out not to be visible. When we start calling CBR, it is quickly solved, but that is of course a stopgap solution. It shouldn't be necessary.''
CBR warns that problems with the new system will also occur this year. "We urge drivers to start working on the medical certificate as soon as possible. Because if you need to see an internist, for example, there can also be a waiting period there.''
