News

Dealers taking customer trailers for annual test using trade plates will be treated with a light touch by Vosa. Under case law, dealers require an O-licence to transport or tow an articulated trailer to a Vosa test station using one of their own trucks, although all other vehicles can be taken on trade plates. According to the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), some Vosa regions were  enforcing the letter of the law and prosecuting dealers, while other areas were turning a blind eye. NFDA operations manager Stephen Latham says he has been talking to Vosa about these inconsistencies.

"I now have written confirmation from Vosa that it will take a pragmatic and light touch approach," he says, adding the problem should be rectified in the Operators License Reform Package Amendment, which is due mid-2009. While none of the dealers contacted by CM had been prosecuted, some had been told not to use trade plates when taking trailers to test.

Andrew Scott, service director at R&A Scott, says he used to take trailers for test on trade plates, but was always told at the test station that he should not be doing it. "We were told that it was not what trade plates were for." But Merthyr Tydfil-based Dragon Truck and Van  has never had an issue with Vosa over transporting trailers on trade plates. General manager Jamie Powell says it does it occasionally, but Vosa has not complained. "We generally use a taxed truck anyway."