Modernising the MoT
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Make sure you brush up on all the changes to the annual HGV MoT test coming up next January, or face new hefty penalties from April onwards
Words: Sally Nash
Changes to the HGV annual test are being introduced on 1 January 2012 as a result of the EU’s Vehicle Testing Directive.
The directive is an attempt to harmonise vehicle testing in member states. As part of the shake-up, new mandatory test items have been added, including a check of the vehicle’s conspicuity markings and electronic braking system (see box).
To help minimise the impact on operators, VOSA has agreed to a three-month grace period where examiners will not fail vehicles when they spot such defects but, instead, pass the vehicle and offer advice. As a result, statutory testing and failures under the new directive will only apply to vehicles tested after 8 April 2012. However, hauliers should familiarise themselves with the changes before preparing vehicles for annual test, warns VOSA.
“Some of the items are new – registration plates are now part of the annual test – and some are minor, like the addition of brake pedal pivot condition,” says VOSA in its newspaper Moving On (July 2011). “After 1 January 2012, you’ll need to be careful when presenting vehicles for test with these systems or parts itted, as they will be part of the test.” VOSA released draft inspection manuals to industry for formal review at the end of March. A review of these documents closed on 27 May when VOSA began to analyse the feedback.
VOSA believes that the increase in test items could be offset, in part, by simplifying test procedures. As part of the simpliication process, VOSA wants to introduce a “non-jacking” procedure for HGV tests, with an option to jack where evidence supports doing so. Currently, steered axles are jacked up during the inspection procedure, which is time-consuming. VOSA’s analysis suggests that removing the requirement to jack up steered axles will signiicantly reduce the test’s duration while having no impact on safety. VOSA is seeking comments from trade associations on this proposal.
Operators mainly support the changes as a way of improving vehicle safety.
David Seaton, NFT’s leet engineer, says: “Most of the changes to the annual test are welcome. Anything we do to improve the safety of vehicles on the road can only be a good thing and I feel it’s important that EU operators are increasingly aligned in their safety-testing practices. Responsible operators should certainly not view these changes as a problem but as a further development in safe transport.” Both the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Road Haulage Association (RHA) agree with Seaton that operators have nothing to fear from the changes.
Raising the bar
Andy Mair, engineering policy manager at the FTA, says that the annual test changes will affect the UK less than many other member states. “Everybody else is going to have to raise their game to what the UK has been doing for many years,” says Mair.
He expects the overall impact to be “fairly minimal” to UK operators. However, Mair does expect some initial problems, particularly regarding the checking of conspicuity markings.
“It may cause problems in interpretation at the annual test but we’re working hard with VOSA on this. In fact, VOSA is using the FTA’s compliance guide, so we should all be singing from the same hymn sheet.” Brake testing procedures are also changing as VOSA moves away from design GVW to maximum authorised mass. This is good news for operators, says Mair.
“The net effect for operators is that it should be easier to achieve a brake test pass because they’ll be lowering the threshold.” These brake testing changes will be implemented at a later date than the other test items because of the huge changes needed to systems, software and hardware. Mair adds that VOSA has promised to give industry adequate lead time.
The RHA is also conident that UK operators shouldn’t be worried about the new test procedures. An RHA spokesman says: “We’ve discussed the test changes with VOSA and see no issue with them for the industry, although those preparing the trucks should be aware of the changes. While some items have been added, the review has also removed certain elements. For example, while steering wear must still be checked, there will no longer be a need to jack up the vehicle to make the check.”
No fee increases
Fee increases are unlikely as a direct result of the changes, even though the test might take longer than usual. “Some of the new tests may take longer to begin with, particularly if they involve complicated checks – such as conspicuity checks on unique vehicles,” says VOSA.
Mair points out that VOSA has reassured the FTA that the test length could be cut by streamlining procedures and eliminating any non-essential items that aren’t mandatory from the current test.
Overall, the new testing arrangements should be introduced without any problems, says Mair. “Although I anticipate some teething problems, particularly with new things like conspicuity markings, we will work hard with VOSA to make sure those issues are ironed out before they start failing HGVs.” ■