Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988 (“the 1988 Regulations”).

Regulation 3 makes extensive amendments relating to fees.

The fee payable on an application for a first examination or periodical test undergoes the changes shown in the Table below (with the percentage increase shown in brackets). However, where the appointment for such an examination or test is, at the applicant’s request, “out of hours”, the supplement to the normal fee is increased by 15.9% from £22 to £25.50 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 14.3% from £14 to £16 in the case of a trailer (regulation 12(4)). Where the vehicle testing station appointed for such an examination or test is, at the applicant’s request, not one provided by the Secretary of State, the supplement or, in the case which is “out of hours”, further supplement, is increased by 20% from £7.50 to £9 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 14.3% from £3.50 to £4.00 in the case of a trailer (regulation 12(4A)).

The fee for a re-test or further re-test within 14 days after the first examination or earlier re-test is increased by 14.6% from £20.50 to £23.50 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 13.6% from £11 to £12.50 in the case of a trailer (regulation 16(1)). The fee for a further re-test under regulation 16(3) is increased by 14.6% from £20.50 to £23.50 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 13.6% from £11 to £12.50 in the case of a trailer.

However, where the appointment for such a re-test is, at the applicant’s request “out of hours”, the supplement to the normal fee is increased by 13.6% from £11 to £12.50 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 14.3% from £7 to £8 in the case of a trailer (regulation 16(4)). Where the vehicle testing station appointed for such a re-test or further re-test is, at the applicant’s request, not one provided by the Secretary of State, the supplement or, in the case which is “out of hours”, further supplement, is increased by 22.2% from £4.50 to £5.50 in the case of a motor vehicle. There is no change in the case of a fee for a trailer which remains at £2 (regulation 16(4A)).

The fee for a re-test at the applicant’s request “out of hours ” under regulation 16(5) is increased by 13.3% from £22.50 to £25.50 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 14.3% from £14 to £16 in the case of a trailer.

The fee for a re-test where the vehicle testing station appointed for a re-test is, at the applicant’s request, not one provided by the Secretary of State, the fee payable under regulation 16(5A) is increased by 20% from £7.50 to £9 in the case of a motor vehicle and by 14.3% from £3.50 to £4 in the case of a trailer.

The fee payable on a request for an amendment to a plating certificate following a notifiable alteration or for a re-examination where a particular in the certificate is or may be no longer applicable is increased by 13.3% from £15 to £17 (regulation 34(1)). However, where an appointment for a re-examination following a notifiable alteration or with a view to amendment of a plating certificate is, at the applicant’s request, “out of hours ”, the supplement to the normal fee is increased by 11.1% from £9 to £10 (regulation 34(2)). Where the vehicle testing station appointed for such a re-examination is, at the applicant’s request, not one provided by the Secretary of State, the supplement or, in the case which is “out of hours”, further supplement, is increased by 22.2% from £4.50 to £5.50 in the case of a motor vehicle. In the case of a trailer the fee remains unchanged at £2 (regulation 34(2A)).

The fee payable for the alteration of the plated weights (or any of the plated weights) for a vehicle without an examination is increased by 13.3% from £15 to £17 (regulation 37B(2)).

Where an applicant for an examination cannot or does not propose to proceed with the examination and gives the Secretary of State notice under regulation 39(3)(b)(ii) that no other examination of the same kind is required any sum paid by him in respect of such a previous application for an examination shall be returned.

Regulation 4 makes some changes to regulation 8 (conditions of acceptance of a vehicle). Regulation 8(2)(k) is amended so that notifications in writing from the Secretary of State other than the last notice of appointment preceding the examination are specified. Regulation 4 also inserts a new regulation 8(2)(r) to cover circumstances in which an examiner is not able to open and examine recording equipment relating to the vehicle.

Regulation 5 amends regulation 16(6)(c)(ii) to enable a re-test or rear markings to be carried out without the payment of a re-test fee.

Regulation 6 amends regulation 39(3)(b)(ii) of the 1988 Regulations by providing for the return to the applicant of any sum paid by him in respect of a specified previous application for an examination of the same kind.

Regulation 7 amends paragraph 31(b)(ii) of Schedule 2 (classes of vehicle to which the 1988 Regulations do not apply) by extending the exemption to vehicles which have an inside track width of not more than 1100mm whereas previously the exemption applied to vehicles which had an inside track width of less than 810 millimetres.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Department for Transport, Zone 2/05, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (telephone number: 020–7944 2455). A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.