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Written question asked by Earl Attlee (Conservative) on Monday, 6 July 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 July 2020. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Monday, 20 July 2020 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Large Goods Vehicles: Coronavirus

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operators are expected to carry out six-weekly safety inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic; whether they are conducting such inspections; and if so, why it is not possible to carry out statutory MOT tests on HGVs.

Answer

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operators are expected to maintain their vehicles in order to ensure their safety at all times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, specific guidance relating to periodic maintenance inspections was published by the Traffic Commissioners, setting out circumstances in which inspection periods may be extended.

Primary legislation identifies annual testing for heavy goods vehicles as distinct from the MOT scheme. For most heavy vehicles the statutory annual tests are an independent check which supplements the periodic maintenance inspections. Permitting a wider range of testers for the statutory annual HGV test would require significant work to establish a regime which assures the quality and independence of testing and manages road safety risk and financial incentives.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL6429
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Inspections Disease control Large goods vehicles Testing Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk