DVSA says it continues to keep the resumption of heavy vehicle MoT testing “under review,” but the Agency cannot confirm resource allocation to Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) for the period from July to September.
There is no suggestion that the position will lead to the current three-month suspension of testing for coaches and buses to be extended beyond June.
However, it has led to further calls from the ATF Operators Association (ATFOA) for the introduction of temporary delegated testing. If agreed, that would involve an appropriate ATF employee carrying out the test and not DVSA staff.
DVSA has yet to be drawn on temporary delegated MoT testing. Instead, it says that it is “committed to a return to testing as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.” It continues to work with ATFs, operators and trade associations to ensure that the resumption brings minimal disruption.
ATFOA believes that temporary delegated testing is the optimum method to smooth any peaks that would otherwise arise with resumption after a multi-month suspension. “ATFs have the experience, the skillset, the professionalism, the infrastructure and the knowledge to mobilise tomorrow,” it says in a letter to members.
Other proposals to help have been laid before DVSA by ATFOA after they were requested by the government agency. In a second letter to its members, ATFOA says it “applauds” the agency’s open-mindedness and its willingness to engage.
“We hope DVSA takes on board our main drive to accept that delegated testing is the only plausible solution,” the Association adds.
