Revised guidance on intervals

Stephen Ladyman, Transport Minister, has announced that plans to extend intervals between safety inspections for some hgvs are to go ahead.

Under proposals discussed at the last round of FTA freight councils, VOSA will be alerting operators to the fact that six weekly inspections are just a guideline and that, where operational factors allow, inspections could be less frequent. Accordingly, VOSA will be updating its advice in the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.

Operators will have to apply to vary the inspection frequency and requests will only be approved in appropriate cases, for example, for newer vehicles and where operators have a good track record of vehicle maintenance and complying fully with the terms and conditions of their O Licence. Irrespective of the inspection interval agreed it will remain the operator’s responsibility to ensure that vehicles meet the required standard.