VOSA needs to put operators first
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I Ed's note, Thefollowing comment was posted on www.roadtransport_comItransportlawblog in response to a Blog entry by solicitor Titn Ridyard concerning the ongoing Department for Transport consultation into changing VOSA's powers stopping vehicles on the roadside (C41 I July)...
VOSA ALREADY GIVES out prohibitions at the roadside and, obviously, vehicles need to be re-tested before a prohibition comes into force. However, the government envisaged this process would have no further financial impact on the operator.
As it stands, this has huge financial ramifications for the transport operator. The entire trailer and/or vehicle has to be re-tested, and not just for the defect which it was stopped for in the first place.
Here comes the costs....
The testing station cannot fit the vehicle in for two weeks, costing the operator thousands in lost earnings, but still paying the running costs! Operators lose out and the tax man loses out.
Surely the government, if it expands the stopping powers, should give VOSA deadlines on acceptable time limits for re-testing and partial MoTs. Why not issue the relevant minor fine for the minor defect straight away?
And then have the VOSA stopping officer book in the vehicle within three days?
VOSA would become wealthier and the haulier would he happier.
Pasted by Paula Heuerman