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Public Service Vehicles

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2019

Tuesday, 17 December 2019

Ceisteanna (604)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

604. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the purposes of a PSV inspection and CVR test with reference to the aspects of these inspections that may overlap. [53058/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is asking about safety, I should explain that the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, set down under Regulations 2013 (SI 347 of 2013) (as amended), applies to all large commercial vehicles such as buses and lorries. This test is carried out by the Road Safety Authority and forms an important role in the annual roadworthiness inspections, helping to ensure that a large commercial vehicle is safe to be on the road.

The Public Service Vehicle inspection applies specifically to vehicles that are used to carry passengers for hire or reward.  There are 2 aspects to this regime: Large Public Service Vehicles (e.g., buses) and Small Public Service Vehicles (such as taxis).  The testing is carried out by An Garda Síochána for the purpose of ensuring that the vehicles are both safe and suitable for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward, under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Licensing) Regulations, 1978 (SI 292 of 1978) (as amended) and the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 (SI 33 of 2015).  

The Deputy correctly identifies that certain categories of vehicles fall within the scope of both regimes due to the commercial and the passenger-carrying nature of the businesses involved.

My Department is examining the framework to see whether scope exists to streamline the process and will consider whether legislative amendments may be appropriate.

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