19-08-09 VOSA statutory fees for 2010/11
A consultation on proposed changes to the statutory fee structure for its services, including testing and inspecting Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) was published today by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
The consultation has three main elements:
- 0% general fees increase for 2010/11
- HGV and PSV test fees are affected by:
• the removal of supplements paid for testing at non-VOSA premises leading to small increase in fees for tests at VOSA premises;
• the final transfer of enforcement costs from operator licence fees to test fees - the operator licence fees affected are being abolished by the end on 2009/10;
• increasing weekday core hours in which no out of hours supplements are payable
- Removal of supplements paid for reduced pollution certificate at non-VOSA premises
The proposed changes also include refunds to be made of advance payments of operator licence fees which are being abolished.
VOSA is asking stakeholders for views on the changes, which continue policies that were previously supported and which are due to be implemented in April 2010.
Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said:
“VOSA plays a vital role in improving road safety, ensuring that buses and trucks are safe to drive on our roads, and our proposed changes will improve the service we offer.
"These changes will save operators time and money by removing certain supplements and reducing administrative burdens by replacing two separate fees with one, fairer charge.
"Improved test delivery will, over time, allow operators to save hundreds of pounds of lost earnings per vehicle each year."
The consultation will run from today until 14 October 2009 and is available here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/
- Ends-
Notes to Editors:
It was announced in July 2008 that testing would continue to proceed in the public sector but that more use should be made of private sector testing stations. As a result a new style of Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) will be introduced and VOSA testing staff will become much more mobile.
This will improve access to good quality test centres, and reduce the time when vehicles are unavailable, so that the industry is helped to comply with road safety laws and operate more efficiently.
HGV, bus and coach operators currently pay up to 6 different fees to VOSA for O-licence services. The Department for Transport announced plans in November 2006 to simplify these arrangements
The change will also spread the costs of VOSA's enforcement activity more fairly; at present 340,000 vehicles and trailers do not contribute at all. The change is revenue neutral for the road transport industry as a whole
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services.
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme.
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations.
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements.
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements.
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators.
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Rachel Hicks on 0117 954 3208 or Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 19/08/2009