ATF next generation testing future at risk
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By Robin Meczes
ATF OPERATORS Association (ATFOA) president Stephen Smith is concerned that Vosa's plans for next generation testing (NGT) may be shelved following Vosa's merger with the DSA.
Little has moved on in terms of NGT — essentially a set of flexible arrangements regarding supplying testing staff to authorised testing facilities (ATFs) — since June. At this point, Vosa said it would bring the new way of working in as soon as possible. "I don't think there is much impetus in regards to NGT," Smith said. "There seems to be a lot of talk and not much action. I
think Vosa's immediate agenda is the merger, so I imagine it has got a lot bigger fish to fry."
Whether the new Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will push NGT through at all remains to be seen, said Smith. "We're holding out for it, but is it really going to be the next new thing? It might can it and look at how Class 4 MoTs are done instead," he said. "It keeps saying it's coming — but nobody really knows." The ATFOA is still waiting for its second formal meeting with Vosa, with whom Smith is anxious to discuss the contractual clampdown announced in the summer. Despite an apparent
softening of stance by Vosa over the clampdown, ATF operators are still receiving letters warning of action if they fail to achieve certain examiner utilisation targets, he said.
Smith, whose association represents just under 90 ATF operators, said a key priority for the ATFOA in the coming year was to expand its membership to carry more weight in its dealings with the agency.
"Although the ATFOA is recognised by Vosa, I don't feel we've got that input into the future of the testing regime," he said. "We need 100% membership from ATFs to be able to speak for everybody."