Eugene Drennan, recently elected President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is appealing that it is time to open up the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) Centres as soon as next Monday, 18 May, to help get the industry moving again. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has stated that in most cases a CVRT Cert for 12 months will be issued after the next CVRT test.
The IRHA has called on the Government to allow for the re-opening of the Commercial Vehicle Test Centres as part of Phase 1 of the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery. The measures outlined in Phase 1 are due to take effect on Monday week, 18th May.
“We believe that the reopening of the test centres, under strict control, would be fully in keeping with the Government’s objectives. Test centres have enough space to accommodate two or three testers while strictly adhering to distancing and other measures and we are confident from speaking with various test centre managers, staff/testers would have no problem with working separate shifts, over a longer daily period, in order to facilitate a smaller flow vehicles,” said Eugene.
“The IRHA continues to work closely with the Department of Transport (DTTAS) and we will keep their Members informed as developments happen,” he added.
European approach to deal with the expiry of certain Transport Certificates & Licences
The European Commission recently published an Omnibus Regulation proposal outlining a pan-European approach to deal with the expiration of certain transport certificates and licences as well as the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Ireland has indicated general support for the proposal but stressed that where possible Member States should continue to carry out their domestic functions (e.g. RTOL (Road Transport Operator Licensing) continues to renew EU Community Licences etc.).???
The proposal is generating lots of comments from Member States; it is expected that the proposal will be discussed at COREPER on Friday (16-05-20) with a view to agreeing on the Presidency’s mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament.
CVRT clarification – 12-month certificates will issue following 3-month extension
Following enquiries from some IRHA Members as to the issue of CVRT Certificates, once vehicle testing recommences, particularly on whether or not “short certs” will be issued.
On the 20th April new regulations were signed into law extending the test due dates by 3 months for commercial vehicles due a CVRT on or after 28 March 2020.
The regulations reset the test due date for those vehicles on or after 28 March 2020 and this new date will then be the test due date for the future e.g. if a vehicle had a test due date of 1 April 2020, this will be extended to 1 July 2020 and, if tested on time and passes will receive a 12 month Certificate, with the next test due date will be 1 July 2021 (assuming it usually gets a 12 month Certificate of Roadworthiness).