ATF Testing Changes – COVID 19

Below is the latest from the DVSA on 23rd March 2020.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic DVSA has taken the decision to suspend heavy vehicle testing all Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV), trailers and Public Service Vehicles (PSV) for up to 3 months.

DVSA has taken the difficult decision to suspend heavy vehicle testing for 3 months, with immediate effect, invoking Clause 13, Force Majeure, of the contract between DVSA and the Authorised Testing Facilities where these tests are carried out.

From 21 March all HGVs, trailers and PSVs with an annual test to expire in a particular month will be issued with a 3-month certificate of exemption (CTE) until further notice.

We want to ensure that all heavy vehicles and trailers remain legal whilst the country deals with the COVID-19 outbreak. So DVSA will be implementing the provisions within the Plating and Testing Regulations and Motor Vehicle Test Regulations which provide for HGVs, trailers and PSVs to be exempted from the annual roadworthiness test.

Paper certificates will not be re-issued for HGVs, trailers and PSVs but we will amend the digital record so that vehicles can continue to operate.

We’ll be issuing further guidance in due course regarding the exemption process.

We know that the annual test is an important part of your business but, as we are sure you will understand, these are exceptional circumstances. DVSA will refund all reservation fees for events scheduled from 21 March 2020.

Until notified you don’t need to ask us for additional testing capacity while exemptions are being issued.

Please visit GOV.UK for the latest information.

A key issue with this is the need for owners/operators to continue with maintenance and MOT pre-work as planned. Our understanding is that for DVSA to get ministers to approve this suspension of testing they needed to have a robust plan to monitor vehicle compliance and safety on the road. This will be managed by the Enforcement Team’s who may be supplemented by the ATF testers who are not testing.

To help customers Boleyn are opening its ATF lanes to support voluntary “roadworthiness inspections” that will be undertaken on the approved lanes and include a brake, smoke and beam tests and inspections (where required) to demonstrate the vehicle/trailer met the required standard on the day. If this is of interest please call 0208-594-2477 for more information.

We will post further as more information comes through.

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