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Annual. test exemptions for specialist vehicles in jeopardy

11th February 2010
Page 9
Page 9, 11th February 2010 — Annual. test exemptions for specialist vehicles in jeopardy
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DEPARTMENT FOR Transport (DfT) proposals for the withdrawal of annual test exemptions for specialist vehicles have been met with widespread concern.

The consultation, launched last month, proposes to remove the exemptions for: • mobile cranes

Construction Plant-hire Association chief executive Colin Wood tells CM: "We have no objection to this issue being discussed, but 99% of all mobile cranes are on non-standard chassis."

The consultation states that EICNs on such bespoke chassis will continue to be exempt from the regulations. thus negating the need for mobile cranes to feature in the consultation.

Wood agrees with the D1T's concerns that VOSA inspectors will need special training to test currently exempt vehicles.

Freight Transport Association head of engineering policy Andy Mair highlights other worries: For larger vehicles, there are questions regarding test centre viability that need to be answered. For example, will brake tests be feasible for vehicles with relatively massive axle weights?"

TNT national engineering manager Steve Davis adds his worries about electric vehicles: -There's no reason why a modern electric vehicle should be exempt from annual test, hut [having annual tests] will add to maintenance costs. And the distance to the nearest station may be greater than the vehicle's range we would have to low-loader the truck there and back."

Download the consultation at www.dft. gov.uk. Interested parties must make their submissions before 19 March to vehicleroadworthiness@dft.gsi.gov.uk


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