The Freight Transport Association (FTA), is calling on the Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the MoT market and the way the test is delivered.
It comes amid a severe shortage of DVSA testers leading to very long waits for test slots, especially in the south east.
The position is made worse as the pay rates for testers are significantly lower than market rates for mechanics with suitable skills, meaning recruitment is not filling the vacancies.
FTA’s Director of Policy Elizabeth de Jong says: “Currently, DVSA is not measuring the factors that indicate whether vehicle testing processes are delivering or not, for operators and legislators.”
She also suggests the Earned Recognition-status operators should be allowed to conduct their own tests.
“We are calling for a full review of the testing function at DVSA and proper consideration of independent testing.”
The FTA is also calling on the DVSA to produce KPIs in seven areas to demonstrate the system’s delivery, that would “better inform both DVSA and the industry on the difficulties experienced and how to solve them.”
CPT’s Operations Director, Keith McNally told routeone: “CPT continues to work closely with DVSA and several trade associations representing the freight and ATF sectors to develop practical solutions to the on-going difficulties relating to vehicle testing availability.
“CPT believes that industry self-testing could form part of an overall solution, but we would want to ensure that safety standards for commercial passenger transport continue to be maintained at the very highest level.”
