The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023
Overview
The Goods Vehicles (Testing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 have been a crucial component of road safety in the region, ensuring that goods vehicles maintain their roadworthiness. To ensure the continued efficacy of these regulations, adjustments are required. The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 aim to increase the fees payable for testing, thereby fortifying the financial sustainability of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) while maintaining road safety standards.
The key requirements of these regulations center around the adjustment of fees for goods vehicle testing. The amendments are as follows:
- Light Goods Vehicles (Up to 3,500 kilograms): The fee for testing these vehicles increases from £30.50 to £38.00.
- Vehicles Exceeding 3,500 Kilograms (Based on Axles):
- 2-axle rigid vehicle: Fee increases from £76.00 to £101.00.
- 3-axle rigid vehicle: Fee increases from £87.00 to £109.00.
- 4-axle rigid vehicle: Fee increases from £98.50 to £117.50.
- Articulated vehicle with a 2-axle drawing vehicle: Fee increases from £80.50 to £101.00.
- Articulated vehicle with a 3 or more axle drawing vehicle: Fee increases from £93.50 to £109.00.
- Trailers (Based on Axles):
- 1-axle trailer: Fee increases from £50.00 to £86.50.
- 2-axle trailer: Fee increases from £51.00 to £86.50.
- 3-axle trailer: Fee increases from £52.00 to £86.50.
- Retests:
- Light goods vehicles (up to 3,500 kilograms): Fee increases from £18.50 to £29.50.
- Vehicles exceeding 3,500 kilograms: Fee increases from £18.50 to £38.00.
- Articulated drawing vehicle: Fee increases from £19.50 to £38.00.
- Trailers: Fee increases from £19.50 to £38.00.
The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 came into force on the 1st of October 2023 and apply to Northern Ireland.
Do the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 affect my business?
The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 carry notable impacts on businesses operating in the region, especially those that rely on goods vehicles for their operations. Here’s how these regulations affect them:
- Financial Sustainability of DVA: The DVA operates as a Trading Fund, and the fees collected are essential for covering the costs of delivering testing services. The amendments are necessary because many vehicle test fees have remained unchanged for over 18 years, leading to a deficit of £1.1 million in the vehicle testing fee account in 2022-23. If fee increases are not implemented, this deficit is projected to grow, potentially impacting the financial sustainability of the Trading Fund.
- Future Capital Investments: The deficit in the vehicle testing fee account affects the DVA’s ability to finance future capital investments. Businesses relying on efficient testing services would benefit from a well-funded DVA, ensuring the availability of modern facilities and services.
The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 represent a critical step towards ensuring both road safety and the fiscal sustainability of the DVA. While these amendments will require businesses to adapt to higher testing fees, the long-term benefits, including improved road safety and a well-funded DVA, will contribute to a more robust and efficient goods vehicle testing system in Northern Ireland.
Do I need the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 in my ISO Compliance Register?
You will need the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 in your ISO Compliance Register if your business falls under one or more of the following categories:
- Transport and Logistics Companies: Firms that operate goods vehicles weighing over 3,500 kilograms are directly impacted by the fee increases, potentially affecting their operating costs.
- Manufacturers and Suppliers: Companies that manufacture or supply goods that rely on goods vehicles for distribution will also feel the impact indirectly, as increased testing fees could lead to higher transportation costs.
- Independent Haulage Operators: Independent haulage operators with their own fleets of goods vehicles are directly affected by the fee increases.
Legislation related to the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023
Legislation related to the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 include:
- Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995
- Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010
- The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995
- Goods Vehicles (Testing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003
More information
Visit the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 article on the legislation.gov.uk website.
Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article (which are updated by the Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023) to your Register.
