RHA: Industry bodies unite over vehicle testing
Annual truck testing ensures high standards of vehicle condition and road safety and the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association are in total agreement that these objectives should be achieved at all times.
However, the four bodies are keen to see a review of the way in which the testing is conducted and have sent a joint letter to the Department for Transport strongly urging the abandonment of what the four associations consider to be the flawed policy of the previous government and transfer HGV testing to the private sector, with standards monitored and enforced by an independent body.
“We have arrived at a common view that the policy developed by the previous government, of having VOSA staff testing trucks and of tests being conducted as much as possible at third party workshops, will add unnecessary cost and complexity and will obstruct cost-effective testing”, said RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning
“We see three alternatives”, he continued. “The first, to return to the model of most tests being carried out at VOSA test sites, seems the least practical and credible.
“The second option would be to privatise the testing function but to continue with a single organisation, or small number of organisations, providing testers and possibly taking over some of the testing estate but conducting a large proportion of tests at third party workshops.
“The third option would be to follow a model similar to that for car and van testing and to have tests carried out by approved individuals. This system is now well-proven for lighter vehicles in terms of both standards and road safety outcomes.”
The four industry bodies firmly believe that the industry must be given, and accept, overall responsibility for high standards of maintenance. Moving towards a system similar to that of cars and vans would, we believe, lead to a further strengthening rather than a diminution of safety standards.
Ends.
Issued on behalf of The Road Haulage Association – + 44 (0) 01932 838917
The Freight Transport Association – + 44 (0) 1892 552256
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders – + 44 (0) 207 235 7000
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association + 44 (0) 1494 434747
Attachments – Letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Phillip Hammond MP
Road Haulage Association – phone us first
For more details, contact RHA Head of Media Relations, Kate Gibbs on
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 838917
Mob: + 44 (0) 7979 531451
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