The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has held the first in a series of round table meetings with trade bodies to address the current challenges faced by the industry and DVSA at Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs).   

The meeting, which took place last Wednesday (June 13), concentrated on how DVSA, working with industry, could improve testing services for ATFs and operators when it comes making sure vehicles are safe to drive.

DVSA is committed to improving the service and at the meeting agreed to:

• Review with the industry the current testing model by the end of October 2018.
• Agree the scope of that review with the trade associations.
• Issue more meaningful and regular management information to explore how we can make test availability more transparent to operators looking to secure a test slot through a clearing house model.

DVSA director of operations (south), Richard Hennessey, said: “We are committed to helping people keep their vehicle safe to drive.

“This was a very positive first meeting and we look forward to working with the industry. We know ATFs, operators and their representative bodies have concerns about the availability of testing slots and the ease of securing a test booking.

“However, there is more we can do to improve the way we work with ATFs and operators and are in the process of recruiting an additional 85 vehicle testers into the high demand areas. This will have the benefit of also relieving testing pressure in other parts of the UK.”

Since January, the DVSA has carried out around 30,800 tests, fulfilling 99.60% of its reservations. For the year to date, DVSA cancelled 154 reservations, compared to 632 reservations cancelled by ATFs.

DVSA has committed to an update meeting next month (July), with a follow up round table meeting in September.

Delegated testing has been suggested by industry as one way forward. However, this would require primary legislation and our focus at present is concentrating on addressing the immediate challenges surrounding heavy vehicle testing.

DVSA has reminded operators that vehicles without a valid MOT should not be driven. If any RHA members are aware of vehicles that are being operated without a valid MOT or in an un-roadworthy condition they should report it via DVSA’s Counter Fraud & Investigations number - 0300 123 3248.

To book a roadworthiness test you can find a full list of ATFs and their contact details on www.gov.uk/book-vehicle-annual-test. Operators are advised not to contact their network business manager to do this.