Road Legal

It is an offence to use an unroadworthy vehicle on the road. The Vehicle Operators and Services Agency (VOSA) is responsible for enforcing the law. It is actively involved in HGV and trailer testing, employing examiners who conduct yearly roadworthiness tests, hold roadside spot checks and inspect operators’ own maintenance records. The Traffic Commissioners may take into account the number of annual test failures and roadside prohibitions  incurred when an operator applies for an O-licence variation.

VOSA also supervises the network of garages approved to conduct MoT tests, to ensure safety standards are maintained.

Which laws apply?

Both HGV and MoT testing are covered by the Road Traffic Act 1988.

• Vehicles over 3,500kg GVW and trailers must have an annual roadworthiness check (often called the annual test) one year after registration; trailers must have a test one year after the sale date.
• For  vehicles under 3,500kg GVW, the MoT rules apply: a yearly check is required once the vehicle is three years old.

HGV annual tests

HGV and trailer annual tests are carried out at either a VOSA-operated HGV testing station or at a privately run workshop with Designated Premises (DP) status. VOSA-employed inspectors conduct the actual tests, whether in VOSA test stations or at DPs.

• Test Stations: There are 91 HGV test stations and more than 300 DPs. Finding a Goods Vehicle Test Station
• Documents required: To book a test requires details of vehicle registration number, vehicle class and number of axles. The fee must be paid seven days before the test date.
• At the test station, VOSA requires the last annual test certificate and the plating certificate for the vehicle (or VTG 7, 7a or 7T which shows the operating weights).

The test

The test consists of four distinct parts: topside; underside (over the pit); lights; roller brake test. There is a lot of information available on annual test preparation and what the annual test covers. Online documents available include a brake test preparation guide and a headlamp aim guide.

For a list of component codes go to: Annual test component codes

The following are not available online but can be ordered via a downloadable publications order form:

• The Categorisation of Defects Manual (£25)
• HGV Inspection Manual (£35)
• Pocket version HGV Inspection Manual (£12.50)
• DV7 The Inspector Calls - a  DVD demonstrating an HGV inspection routine (£18)

Pre-test checks

VOSA offers a pre-test brake performance check service and headlight alignment and exhaust emission checks.

Testing Hazchem vehicles Operators of dangerous goods vehicles need to ensure vehicles have a VTG15 certificate and are presented so they meet VOSA health and safety requirements.

VOSA’s top 10 failure items

Top 10 failure items	2005-6
Headlamp aim	19.0%
Service brake performance	7.8%
Lamps	6.4%
Brake system components	5.3%
Secondary brake performance	5.0%
Parking brake performance	3.1%
Steering mechanism	2.6%
Warning lamps	2.4%
Suspension	2.4%
Reflectors	2.3%

Test fees

Test fees are primarily determined by the number of axles on the vehicle. Fees for out-of-hours testing and at DPs are usually higher. (VOSA charges are the same at a DP but the provider of the facilities also receives a fee.) For some operators, the extra convenience of using a DP compensates for the extra charge. The part-paid retest service is for minor test failures and designed to avoid the vehicle having to have a complete retest once the fault has been rectified. The Transport Office has information on truck and trailer test fees.

The MoT test

MoT testing is conducted by 8,300 authorised garages, and is in the process of being computerised. Records of test results are now held on a secure central database and all MoT testing stations are connected to this. When your vehicle is tested at one of these computerised testing stations your test record will be entered onto this new database and a new-style A4-size certificate issued. The MoT database can be accessed via www.motinfo.gov.uk.

MoT fees

• Class IVa MoT fee £58.75
• Class VII (3,000-3,500kg design weight) £53.80

Since September 2006, vehicles failing an MoT test on certain items can be retested free of charge within prescribed time limits. Failure items qualifying for a free retest include bonnet, boot lid, brake pedal anti-slip, direction indicators, doors, dropsides, fuel filler cap, hazard warning, horn, lamps, loading door, mirrors, rear reflectors, registration plates, seat-belts (but not anchorages), seats, sharp edges or projections, steering wheel, tailboard, tailgate, vehicle identification number (VIN), windscreen and glass, windscreen wipers/washers, wheels and tyres.

Roadside checks

VOSA periodically conducts roadside checks on all vehicles for safety defects and compliance with permitted exhaust emissions. For a minor offence the prohibition will generally be delayed and the operator given 14 days to clear it. More serious defects are given an immediate prohibition (PG9) and the defect will have to be remedied before it is allowed back on the road. Clearing the prohibition usually requires a full HGV or MoT test.

Points to ponder

• The law is quite clear that responsibility for the roadworthiness of vehicles and trailers lies with the operator. This remains the case even when maintenance is contracted out to a third party and for leased or hired vehicles and trailers.
• Since April 2006, the annual test has included a seat-belt function test which includes anchorage points, locking mechanism and condition of the web belt.

 

Current HGV and trailer test fees

As of January 2007

HGV tests at test centres

First tests; annual tets; prohibition clearances (full inspections); retests after 14 days

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
2 axles	£46.00	£78.00
3 axles	£66.00	£98.00
4 axles +	£86.00	£118.00

 

Retests within 14 days; prohibition clearances (partial inspections)

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
2 axles	£30.00	£46.00
3 axles	£44.00	£60.00
4+ axles	£57.00	£73.00
Part-paid retests	£10.00	£10.00
Replacement documents	£11.00	£11.00

 

HGV tests at designated premises (DPs)

First tests; annual tets; prohibition clearances (full inspections); retests after 14 days

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
2 axles	£57.00	£89.00
3 axles	£77.00	£109.00
4 axles +	£97.00	£129.00

 

Retests within 14 days; prohibition clearances (partial inspections)

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
2 axles	£37.00	£53.00
3 axles	£51.00	£67.00
4+ axles	£64.00	£80.00
Part-paid retests	£10.00	£10.00

                          

Trailer tests at test centres:

First tests; annual tets; prohibition clearances (full inspections); retests after 14 days

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
1 axles	£23.00	£43.00
2 axles	£34.00	£54.00
3 axles +	£44.00	£64.00

 

Retests within 14 days; prohibition clearances (partial inspections)

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
1 axles	£15.00	£26.00
2 axles	£22.00	£33.00
3+ axles	£29.00	£40.00
Part-paid retests	£5.00	£5.00
Replacement documents	£11.00	£11.00

 

Trailer tests at designated premises (DPs):

First tests; annual tets; prohibition clearances (full inspections); retests after 14 days

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
1 axles	£29.00	£49.00
2 axles	£40.00	£60.00
3 axles +	£50.00	£70.00

 

Retests within 14 days; prohibition clearances (partial inspections)

Axles	Normal	Out of hours
1 axles	£18.00	£29.00
2 axles	£25.00	£36.00
3+ axles	£32.00	£43.00
Part-paid retests	£5.00	£5.00