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Jul 22 2020

Road Haulage Lobby Gets a Win on HGV Roadworthiness Testing

UK – The credit for the government announcement that it is to review roadworthiness testing for HGVs was immediately claimed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) which said the decision by the Department for Transport was a direct result of its 'relentless lobbying'.

 

Ministers say the review will focus on understanding whether current roadworthiness testing is fit for purpose and provide evidence as to whether it supports or hinders the effective operation of the haulage and logistics industries. The move has almost certainly been prompted due to the Covid-19 situation which saw testing abandoned as the importance of keeping the haulage industry mobile during a time of crisis became apparent to all.

 

Obviously one cannot pre-empt what will be decided but industry observers believe this may be a time when HGV testing moves from being a monopoly of the DVSA with Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) operators being awarded a licence to test independently. Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said:

 

"We have been leading the way to achieve sustainable HGV testing. DVSA's testing system is no longer fit for purpose. It was not sustainable before the pandemic and won’t be sustainable as we go forward. It’s essential that we have a system that’s efficient and is done by qualified, independent, authorised staff." Read more

 

Source: HANDY SHIPPING GUIDE