Emergency cash could be found to avoid a chronic shortage of lorry drivers leading to crisis in food supplies . George Osborne is examining plans to offer funding to help with training of new drivers , amid warnings of shortage of 45,000 hauliers . Tests which have been blamed for the problems in the industry could also be accelerated to address the shortage of qualified drivers . The haulage industry warns that shortage of 45,000 drivers has been caused in part by new rules forcing hauliers to be tested on their driving skills . Britain needs between 45,000 and 60,000 extra lorry drivers , according to estimates . There is a long-running shortage caused by drivers retiring and too few young people choosing haulage as a career . And since September , all drivers must obtain the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence , completing an extra 35 hours training , costing some £500 . Under the new rules , drivers who do not hold the new certificate face a fine of £1,000 . As many as 20,000 drivers are thought to have quit or retired as a result . The Road Haulage Association wants Chancellor George Osborne to offer funding to train a new generation of drivers - especially women - in next month 's Autumn Statement . New training rules mean the logistics industry is thousands of drivers short , according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.The Freight Transport Association claims more than 20,000 drivers have quit since September . It comes after a new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence was introduced across the EU , which meant drivers had to complete an extra 35 hours training , costing some £500 . Hauliers say the rules mean there are not enough people to drive lorries across the country , raising the prospect of 'empty shelves ' . Concerns have also been raised about safety , including the decision to allow 18-year-olds to drive HGVs . Ahead of the Budget the industry called for £150million to increase training for thousands of drivers before the shortages hit vital supplies . In his statement to MPs , Mr Osborne stopped short of announcing the money would be found . But the official Budget red book reveals the government could be ready to step in to provide support for road hauliers . It states : 'The government will review the speed with which Heavy Goods Vehicle ( HVG ) driving tests and driver medical assessments currently take place and consider options to accelerate both in order to help address the shortage of qualified HGV drivers . 'The government will also work with road haulage firms on an industry led solution to the driver shortage , including looking at the right level of access to , and funding support for , training . ' Chancellor George Osborne used his Budget to announce a review of the HGV driving tests but stopped short of offering immediate financial support . Fuel duty has been frozen for a fifth year in succession , allowing the Chancellor to boast that motorists have had '£10 off a tank with the Tories ' . Yesterday 's move means a 0.54p-per-litre duty rise planned for September 1 will not go ahead . And the freezing of duty over the five years of the Coalition means the average driver spends £10 less per fill-up than if the controversial 'fuel-price escalator ' had been implemented in full . Between 2011 and 2016 , a typical motorist will have saved £675 , the Treasury calculated . It means a saving of £1,400 for a small business with a van , and £21,000 for a haulier . Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett said : 'We have put forward a strong , clear argument for why funding is necessary and appropriate . Our lobby for funding support will be even stronger in the coming weeks . ' A Department for Transport spokesman said : 'Increasing the number of qualified lorry drivers is good for British business and good for growth . The government will do all it can to find ways to support this sector and we are working to find industry-led solutions to ensure sufficient drivers to meet the demand . ' Six weeks before Chrismtmas , Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin urged people to 'get their shopping done ' in case the driver shortage hit the supply of food and presents . He defended the new EU rules , arguing that drivers need to know how to drive their lorries properly . But he urged people not to leave their shopping until the last minute , in case supply lines are affected . 'If you 're driving a motor vehicle , with the investment you 've got in that motor vehicle , it 's no bad thing to know what you 're doing , ' he told the ConservativeHome website . Asked if there were going to problems with deliveries before Christmas , he replied : ' I hope not . I hope not . I think we 'll be all right . But I 'd advise everybody to get their shopping done . '
Budget report promises review of the time it takes to get HGV licence . Ministers will also review need for funding extra training courses . Follows warning of a shortage of 45,000 lorry drivers hitting supply chain .