Our plans for heavy vehicle testing

Heavy vehicle testing restarted at Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) on 04 July 2020.

As you know, we’ve been issuing certificates of temporary exemption (CTEs) to vehicles and trailers due for test.

We’re now able to confirm our longer-term plans to help manage testing demand:

• Exemptions will be in use until March 2021
• 3-month exemptions will continue for all vehicles and trailers that have not already received one
• 12-month exemptions will be introduced for certain operators, vehicles and trailers

What resource will ATFs get?

We want to help you, and operators, to plan ahead as we move towards the end of the year.

Our capacity to provide more resource to ATFs will increase over the coming months. This capacity is based on meeting demand for vehicles and trailers due for test in this period.

And we’re offering additional sessions as testing staff become available.

Issuing further exemptions

Vehicles and trailers due for test up to March 2021 will get a 3-month exemption if they have not already received one.

But certain vehicles and trailers due for test up to March 2021 will get longer exemptions.

What is the criteria?

Fleets which are considered to be safer will get 12-month exemptions.

Newer vehicles and trailers, Earned Recognition operators and those demonstrating a higher level of compliance generally have the lowest test failure rates.

How will this work?

All exemptions will be applied automatically.

3-month exemptions will apply from the original test date. For example, a vehicle with a test originally due in September 2020 will be moved to December 2020.

12-month exemptions will also apply from the original test date. For example, a vehicle with a test originally due in March 2020 which got an exemption to September 2020 will be moved to March 2021.

The full table of exemptions and new test dates is included at the end of this message.

For Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), the ‘exact date’ of expiry will be retained. So, if the vehicle is due for test on 15 September 2020 and gets a 3-month exemption, it will move to 15 December 2020.

12-month exemptions for eligible operators will be applied to fleets that are specified on operator licences.

12-month exemptions for vehicles or trailers which are up to 2 years old will not be linked to OCRS score or licence status.

When will exemptions be applied?

We will begin to apply 3-month exemptions immediately.

12-month exemptions will be processed from 24 August 2020 and we will start with vehicles and trailers which are due in for test in August 2020 (those with 3-month exemptions issued in May 2020).

Some eligible PSVs will not get longer exemptions prior to their August 2020 test expiry date because the individual expiry date is before 24 August 2020.

What do we want you to book now?

We know vehicle operators are concerned about getting tests later in the year but those getting longer exemptions will not now need to book tests.

We’ve already given you some information on the vehicles which need to be prioritised for test now.

The highest priority are those operators who will legally need a test because their exemption is ending, or they have not been given one.

We want you to prioritise:

1. Vehicles/trailers legally due a test within a month
2. Vehicles/trailers going on international journeys
3. Dangerous goods vehicles
4. Specialist vehicle types (eg. refuse vehicles, gritters)
5. Prohibition clearances

What if I do not have enough resource to test those vehicles?

If you are aware of any vehicle operators in the above categories who are unable to secure a test slot, please contact us at: contactnbmteam@dvsa.gov.uk.

Exemptions Planner

Unsubscribe  |  View email in browser