Privatisation coy cut annual test fi
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by Amanda Bradbury • HGV test fees are likely to tumble as the Vehicle Inspectorate's testing division's costs are tightened up prior to privatisation.
The sell-off, which was announced last week, could take two to three years, but operators interested in bidding warn that the test fee will have to rise substantially after privatisation if the Government wants to sell the testing stations.
The VI's chief executive Ron Oliver says it "would be logical" for the test fee to fall 3% in real terms when it is next reviewedfrom £34.70 to .C33.66. The Government has asked the VI to make unit cost savings of 5% this year in the run up to privatisation.
This will mean losing further staff across the board through natural wastage, says Oliver.
Unless potential operators can be convinced that they can make a profit the plan to sell off stations could be a non. They are also unhappy a excluded from offering a service under the new plat
Representing dealers f( interested in bidding, tha Motor Industry Federati written to the Departn Transport to complain ab and to request an urgent n E The VI will be split into testing, enforcement and function divisions al September; vehicle exz will be asked which seal, wish to work for over tl few weeks. Enforcement split into 23 units includin; examiners and vehicle ins] The seven group rm who oversee the eight traff will be re-organised. Four in charge of traffic exi. with two looking after test one "elsewhere-.