RSA Clarify & Offer some Guidance on CVRT Testing 

During the first phase of the lockdown, Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVRT) Test Centres were closed, since 18 May, they have now re-opened. Some extensions to expiry dates were in place to facilitate a return to normal operations, in order that there is no confusion, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has given some guidance for operators as to how to interpret the changes.

Commercial Vehicle testing resumed on a phased basis from Monday 18 May 2020 and CVR test centres are now offering full testing services to all commercial vehicle owners, including bus and truck operators. Test centres are applying comprehensive measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus for the benefit of customers and testing centre staff.

On Monday 20 April, the Minister for Transport announced details of legislative steps taken in support of the necessary closure of the Commercial Vehicle Testing System as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation allowed for commercial vehicles with a test that was due on or after 28 March 2020 to have that test date extended by 3 months. In addition, commercial vehicles due their first test between 28 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 also had their test dates extended by 3 months.

The vast majority of Commercial Vehicles (approximately 430,000) will have received a 3-month test due date extension.  Some examples of how this will work in practice are as follows; vehicles that had a test due date in July 2020 will now have a new test due date in October 2020, those vehicles that had a test due date in October 2020 will now have a new test due date in January 2021 and so on.

Going forward, this will ensure that there is an even spread of test demand for this year and subsequent years.

As a consequence of the new legislation, the 3-month extension has been applied to all eligible vehicle records on the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF). Each commercial vehicle owner can check that a vehicle’s test due date has been extended online at https://operator.cvrt.ie/Vehicle/CRWExpiryTestReminder. 

After checking the test due date online, vehicle owners should contact their CVRT centre of preference to book a test if it is due.

The RSA will not be reissuing Certificates of Roadworthiness to take account of the extensions. It recommends that the latest Certificate of Roadworthiness (CRW) issued in respect of the vehicle should be retained and displayed throughout the 3-month extension period, even though the expiry date has expired. There is no need to apply for a replacement CRW to cover the 3-month extension period.

A comprehensive set of frequently asked questions and their answers are available at www.cvrt.ie