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Bus, Coach And Truck Test Fees To Fall

Bus, Coach And Truck Test Fees To Fall

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Bus, Coach And Truck Test Fees To Fall

Annual test fees are set to fall for most trucks and coaches, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Chief Executive Alastair Peoples has announced.

Fees for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) such as buses and coaches will fall for more than 80% of customers from 1 October following a consultation.

The DVSA had also consulted on a general 1 per cent increase to all test fees, but has decided not to implement the change, meaning there has been no general fee increase since 2009.

Alastair Peoples said:

“There are now well over 400 Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) across the country, and our strategy of providing bus and lorry testing at third party sites is already giving customers the choice of using a more convenient, local option. By realigning fees we are now making this even more cost effective for customers.

“With no general fee increases since 2009, and reduced theory test fees starting in October, we are demonstrating our commitment to minimising costs for all our customers.”

The change means that at private ATF sites, where over 80 per cent of all annual tests take place, customers will no longer contribute to the cost of DVSA facilities – meaning test costs will fall by an average of around 3.5 per cent.

At DVSA sites, where the cost of delivering tests is higher, fees will increase by an average of around 18.5 per cent.

ATFs are privately owned businesses where a DVSA tester carries out annual tests required for heavy goods and public service vehicles. ATFs that offer third party or open access must charge test fees at the rates set by DVSA. They can also charge a ‘pit fee’ on top – a charge to the customer to use their test facilities. This is capped depending on the vehicle type.

In addition to the changes to test fees, DVSA is also adjusting fees for HGV and PSV operator licences. These will rise by 1 percent to cover the running costs associated with the National Register of licensed operators.

The register has been introduced as part of EU legislation aimed at creating a more level playing field for international transport operations and reducing distortion of competition across the EU.

For more information and details of the new fees, see the response to consultation on GOV.UK.

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