Two thirds of heavy CV registrations ‘risk severe delays’
As many as 20,000 commercial vehicle registrations per year could suffer major delays as a result of failure to meet new Type Approval legislation, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The new European rules, which come into force from 29 October, apply to those commercial vehicles built in stages weighing more than 3.5 tonnes: around two thirds of heavy CVs.
Said SMMT: “Without the correct approval from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), as many as 50 per cent of annual heavy CV registrations could be considerably delayed.
“With no official stamp of approval, the only alternative route to registering a vehicle in any EU country would be the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)-administered Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme.
“This ‘one by one’ means of checking a vehicle is fit for use is time-consuming and is expected to be overloaded by a high number of bodybuilders that leave it too late to get full Type Approval.
“This is a very serious situation. So many vehicle converters and bodybuilders are still unaware of the implications these new rules will have on their business. SMMT’s technical advisors have been inundated with calls asking for advice on Type Approval as the deadline looms, but many will leave it too late.”
SMMT has held a series of workshops in conjunction with the VCA and DVSA, in order to help address the demand for guidance on Type Approval. Alongside practical advice, the Society also provides an overview of its Type Approval web tool – SENTA – an online resource designed to streamline Type Approval applications.
SMMT says it has added more places to the remaining workshops, as a result of popular demand. These will take place on Tuesday 13 May at Haydock Park Racecourse, near Warrington; Wednesday 14 May at Sedgefield Racecourse, near Durham; and Thursday 15 May at Falkirk Football Club, Falkirk. Interested parties are invited to contact SMMT technical manager Tony Hopkins.
