Question 16 is causing trouble
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BUT TEST STATION MANAGERS CAN UPRATE PLATED WEIGHTS
by lain Sherriff • Some operators are imposing a restriction on their licensed operations because they are innocently completing the application for testing and plating in a way which binds them. Question 16 on form VTG1, which refers to the type of operation on which the vehicle is engaged, is the one that is causing the trouble.
Last week in Scotland Mr. C. C. Toyne, superintending engineer of the Ministry of Transport, said that he felt the form required clarification (CM January 24). It is understood that this was one of the questions which he had in mind for clarification.
Question 16 reads:
Which of the following categories describes the type of operation ISee Notes 14 and 151 * without restriction of speed other than the statutory speed limits; • at sustained speeds not exceeding 40 mph at any time:
* multi-stop collection and delivery services at all times at speeds not in excess of 40 mph and only within a radius of 25 miles from the permanent base from which the vehicle is normally used.
* Delete as necessary.
and notes 14 and 15 read:
14. Regulation 123 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1966 (as amended) provides that each axle of a goods vehicle should be equipped with tyres adequate to support the plated weight of the axle. Where the tyre equipment of a vehicle is found to be inadequate to support the design axle weights the plated weights will be reduced accordingly and where it is found to be unsuitable for the type of operation which the applicant has declared is applicable to the vehicle, a plating certificate appropriate to those operations may not be issued.
15. Tyre use conditions, where appropriate. will be noted on the plating certificate and these must be observed at all times.
The completed application form is sent to the Ministry of Transport Goods Vehicle Centre at Swansea, which issues the relevant plated weight. The test certificate when it is issued by the test station manager states what type of operation the vehicle may be used on —which is the information that the applicant gives in answer to question 16.
When a vehicle has been used on multistop work not exceeding 40 mph, and within the 25-mile radius, it will be plated for that type of operation. Therefore, although the vehicle may not formerly have been involved in any other type of operation, following the issue of the test certificate in those terms it cannot be authorized on any other type of operation. This restriction will apply despite the fact that a vehicle may be fitted (at the time of the test) with tyre equipment which would be suitable for speeds of 70 mph on motorways. An MoT spokesman this week expressed surprise that a vehicle might be over-tyred in this way.
It is understood that the Ministry did not intend to take a hard line on this issue and states that station managers can alter the certificate provided they are satisfied that the tyre equipment fitted is suitable for another class of operation. Until now, operators have been given to understand that the station manager could not alter a plated weight issued by the Swansea office. The MoT spokesman told CM that 10 per cent of the vehicles tested had been returned for upgrading and he agreed that question 16 was "not too clear-.
"There is no need for an operator to be dissatisfied," he said. "If he does not agree with the plated weight issued at the test station in respect of his tyre equipment he should approach the station manager."
One operator commented this week: "The fact remains that we must answer the questions truthfully, and it is difficult to see how a station manager can alter a test certificate if he sticks to the book."