RMI Supports Road Transport Trade Bodies over HGV Testing concerns

The Retail Motor Industry expresses discontent at pace of VOSA “Authorised Tester Facility” privatisation progress.

David Grant, Chairman of the RMI’s National Truck Council, said “whilst there are some existing Designated Premises (DP's) that could convert to Authorised Testing Facilities (ATF) at minimal cost, there is little or no financial incentive to justify Dealerships and repairers investing circa £400,000 in a new-build ATF when they are restricted to only carrying out tests when VOSA personnel are in attendance or available. As a result the uptake has been slow and the investment commitment lacking.”

In response to a statement last week from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), Freight Transport Association (FTA), and British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA), publicly outlining their discontent at VOSA’s progress at privatising their currently Public Sector test facilities, Grant explained, “the VOSA testers only work very restricted hours, when realistically, Dealers have to be able to mirror their existing 24hour workshop opening to the Haulage industry, and offer HGV testing around the clock.  This will drastically improve efficiencies and reduce vehicle downtime.”

Grant was keen to add that there would be no threat to public safety, “Many dealers already have Class 4 and Class 7 VOSA approved test lanes, so already know and work with, the regime of VOSA online and external audit; just look at the average 1st time pass rate on HGV’s in the Franchised truck dealer network - it's well in excess of 90%, even before PRS’s. By virtue of preparing and then testing vehicles using the same facilities, there is tangibly less risk of failure due to equipment discrepancies”.