LAs squaring up to VI
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• The seven Licensing Authorities are believed to be attempting to wrest control of traffic examiners back from the Vehicle Inspectorate.
Commercial Motor has learnt that the LAs are asking the Department of Transport to transfer responsibility for traffic examiners back to the traffic areas, along with vehicle inspectors, who have come under the remit of the VI. A confidential series of recommendations for the VI's future, drawn up by a VI team led by chief executive Ron Oliver, is about to be submitted to ministers.
It is expected to argue that all enforcement should remain under the control of the inspectorate. The VI took over responsibility for traffic examiners from the traffic areas last year.
The LAs have always been unhappy with the changes, especially since the traditional role of the enforcement manager has been wiped out.
They feel they have lost a vital line of communication with traffic examiners.
Oliver's recommendations are also believed to rule out privatisation of the VI's test centres.