Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 6

Written Answers - Roadworthiness Tests.

John Gormley

Question:

232 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the current operation and the requirements surrounding the mandatory vehicles test for roadworthiness; the charge that applies; the subsequent charge, if any, that is to be levied for vehicles that fail initial testing; and the agency responsible for conducting this testing. [4645/98]

Richard Bruton

Question:

236 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the standards in relation to brakes, tyres, exhaust, fumes and so on which shall be applied in the proposed test for cars aged over four years; the date on which the new test will be brought into force; the sampling, if any, which has been carried out to assess the likely costs of the test; and the likely cost of compliance with defects. [4660/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 236 together.

Roadworthiness testing currently applies to heavy goods vehicles, large trailers, buses and ambulances over one year old and light goods vehicles over four years old and is carried out by authorised testers, generally private garages appointed and supervised by the main local authorities. Vehicles are required to be tested every year with the exception of light goods vehicles which are tested every two years. Testing is carried out in accordance with detailed requirements laid down in my Department's vehicle testers' manuals.

The current test fees, exclusive of VAT, are £57 for heavy goods vehicles and buses, £45 for large trailers and ambulances and £30 for light goods vehicles. These fees also apply where a full retest is carried out.

It is intended that car testing will be brought into operation early next year. The selection of a national franchisee to operate the car testing scheme will be the subject of an EU-wide competitive tendering process and the test fee will be one of the key criteria in the assessment of tender proposals. The costs of compliance with the test standards cannot be precisely estimated and, in the individual case, will vary with the condition of each vehicle.

Generally, the standard of roadworthiness required under the car testing scheme will reflect the current requirements of the Road Traffic Lighting-Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles Regulations, 1963 to 1997. However, for certain requirements including brakes and emissions, further standards may be specified in regulations or administrative measures relating to the new testing scheme.