WHAT NEXT IN 2023? MoT VERSUS COMPLIANCE
We will explore this subject further in 2023 as we gather evidence to show that council compliance tests are NOT STRICTER than nationally recognised roadworthiness tests, (MoTs), and in some cases, compliance tests are not even legal.
We suggest that to be more efficient, saving time and money for all, councils perform a valid MoT whilst performing the visual check that the local council conditions are satisfied - since that is all the compliance test actually is - and then both certificates can be issued together. We know it can be done, it is already done this way by many councils, however, there are a few councils that continue to resist, this has to stop.
Visual checks: (council compliance)
1. Is the vehicle the correct colour? (nothing to do with being roadworthy)
2. Does the vehicle have a first aid kit? (where required)
3. Does the vehicle have a fire extinguisher? (where required)
4. Does the top light operate? (for taxis) 5. Is the meter correctly calibrated to your local tariffs? (Nothing to do with national conditions or roadworthiness)
6. Is the correct signage displayed? (where there is signage - nothing to do with anything national)
7. Does the vehicle have fully operational CCTV? (where required)
8. Is the vehicle’s overall appearance satisfactory? Everything else, is an actual MoT,
brakes,
suspension, steering, lights, rust, sharp edges and tyres are all national and checked as part of an MoT.
Issues with not having an actual roadworthiness certificate (MoT)
• Inconvenience to drivers of printing the
exemption form, and taking it to the post office to tax the vehicle, since it cannot be taxed using the online platform due to having no valid MoT.
• The vehicle will flag up on ANPR cameras, which could alert police outside of your licensed area, who may not be aware that your council holds the valid certification from the Ministry of Transport to perform such roadworthiness checks; this
34
could lead to the vehicle being impounded if your local authority officers are not available to answer the phone to the police during the early hours of the morning, which could result in delays to the journey making you late for passengers.
• In the event of a breakdown, the recovery services could, and have been known to, refuse to recover the vehicle, since it does not have a valid MoT, which means they are not insured to take it
• In the event of a vehicle suspension, which may be for licensing matters such as the top light is not lighting up, or your fire extinguisher does not show the vehicle licence number, at which point that vehicle may NOT be driven away, by suspending the licence, you have effectively been issued with an immediate prohibition order notice, you have no MoT, AND no valid compliance test either since that has now been suspended, so this vehicle may not be driven away from the scene
• When it comes to selling the vehicle, there is no previous MoT history for potential buyers to check, since it will show as never having had an MoT
• Let’s not forget the social media platforms which do love to post screenshots of the government website telling the world that your vehicle should not be on the road, since it does not even have an MoT!! Shock horror
What are the cost implications of printing off two sheets of paper instead of just one? compliance
(The test alongside the national MoT
certificate?) Absolutely zero, and yet we see drivers being “offered” to pay a little bit extra for the MoT certificate.
CONCLUSION:
NPHTA listens to members’ concerns and we see the three issues discussed here as the main topics which the NPHTA will be addressing in 2023 to help our industry.
There will be other matters that arise along the way, such as levelling up and the DfT Best Practice Guidance when it is released, those matters will be dealt with as and when they arrive.
As always, we are right here, speaking up for our members throughout the nation, join now, and be part of the largest specialist stakeholder in the UK.
FEBRUARY 2023 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
