Disappointment has been expressed by some bodies that the Department for Transport (DfT) has decided not to change the heavy vehicle testing regime for members of DVSA Earned Recognition.
Announcement of that step concluded a long-running saga around Earned Recognition and heavy vehicle testing that first surfaced in the heavy vehicle testing review over four years ago.
Proposals included an extension of test intervals for members of the scheme, along with scope for self-testing via a delegated mechanism and a change to test content. None of those will be adopted.
Logistics UK has responded with frustration. It claims that a failure to introduce delegated testing of heavy vehicles for Earned Recognition members “could compromise” the scheme.
Head of Engineering Policy Phil Lloyd says that delegated testing “has always been the main incentive in which operators were encouraged to adopt the Earned Recognition scheme, so for government to dismiss the option out of hand is hugely disappointing and frustrating.”
Mr Lloyd adds that delegated testing would deliver flexibility and efficiencies for members of Earned Recognition without compromising safety.
“The expectation has always been that self-certification would operate at a standard significantly higher than the voluntary arrangements currently found in the maintenance sector. The promised benefits of Earned Recognition need to materialise soon.”
Logistics UK will continue to work with DfT and DVSA to support the scheme, but Mr Lloyd claims that “decisions like this will make [it] less attractive for operators.”
RHA Head of Technical Aaron Peters observes the Association is disappointed with the conclusion that testing requirements will remain unchanged, noting how Earned Recognition members “strive for excellence by voluntarily signing up and ensuring compliance with robust standards.”
He adds that the proposed changes would have eased the burden on testing capacity and reduced reliance on DVSA staff for heavy vehicle tests while maintaining road safety levels.
“While we are disappointed that industry feedback has not been taken on board this time, we will continue to engage with DVSA and DfT in further discussions about streamlining processes and evolving systems on behalf of our members and our sector,” concludes Mr Peters.
