21-09-04 VOSA now have the power to stop motorists
What are VOSA’s legal powers?
Police have, for many years now, been supporting VOSA examiners by stopping vehicles for spot checks to ensure vehicles comply with roadworthiness and road traffic legislation. The Police Reform Act 2002 allows Chief Officers’ to accredit other persons or organisations to stop vehicles. VOSA’s accreditation, backed up by specialist training, enables its staff to stop vehicles without a policeman in support, and enables the Police to concentrate on their other priorities including road casualty reduction and tackling crime and disorder. Subject to Chief Officers’ agreement, VOSA’s powers will gradually be rolled out throughout England & Wales.
Why will VOSA be stopping motorists?
There are a number of reasons why we will be stopping motorists in checks across England and Wales. These checks will be focussed on vehicle maintenance and safety, exhaust emissions and, an increasingly common safety concern, excessively tinted windscreens and side windows.
Vehicle Maintenance and Safety
Everyone who uses a vehicle on the road is required to keep it in a roadworthy condition. This is in the interests of road safety and environmental protection.
The fuel system, seat belts, steering, mirrors, brakes, tyres and lights can all be checked to ensure they meet current legal requirements.
Exhaust Emissions Checks
One of the most important ways to protect the environment is to ensure that a vehicle meets exhaust emissions requirements for its age and class. Polluting vehicles, which fail this test, will be removed from the road. Emissions tests are carried out using equipment similar to that used in MOT garages.
Tinted Windows
Excessively tinted windows restrict the driver’s vision, especially in dark conditions and may prevent drivers from seeing other road users and pedestrians.
For motor vehicles first registered before 1 April 1985 the windscreen and front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to be transmitted through them.
For motor vehicles first registered on or after 1 April 1985 the light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75% while the side windows must transmit at least 70%.
What are the consequences if a vehicle fails any of these tests?
If a serious defect is found with a vehicle a prohibition notice will be issued. The prohibition is a legally enforceable ban on driving the vehicle on the road. For very serious breaches the ban can be immediate, but where there is no immediate danger to other road users the ban can be delayed for up to 10 days. This gives the motorist time to rectify the fault and arrange to have your vehicle re-examined (normally this will require the vehicle to pass a new MOT test) before the prohibition can be removed.
Page last updated: 21/09/2004