31-03-04 Proposed Fees Increases
YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON PROPOSED FEES INCREASES
VOSA have released a consultation document on proposed fee increases for: HGV and PSV testing, operator licensing, bus registration and international permits. Details of the proposals were recently sent to the Trade Associations. Following the consultation process, Ministers’ agreement will be sought and any changes to the fees will be introduced in August. Consultation on fees for registration of local bus services in Scotland will be conducted separately.
The consultation paper and a list of the new fees is available either on our web-site at www.vosa.gov.uk or on a leaflet from one of our test stations.
See VOSA Five Year Funding Strategy
VOSA Five Year Funding Strategy Leaflet
VOSA Five Year Funding Strategy Leaflet - Amendment Sheet
The following services will have an average fees increase of 13%, although some will rise by more than this amount, e.g. re-test fees:
HGV and PSV tests and re-tests
Specialised inspections of HGVs and PSVs
Licenses for operators of HGVs and PSVs and their vehicles
Bus registrations and permits
International haulage and coach permits issued by the International Road Freight Office. (now part of VOSA)
The increases will ensure that the costs for providing the services for testing, licensing and local service registration are covered by the fees charged. In the longer terms the extra income from higher test fees will also allow for the refurbishment of our test station network and the modernisation of the services we provide.
VOSA believes the higher fees are still good value for money. Fees for operator licensing, bus registration and international permits have not kept pace with inflation, having only risen once since their introduction in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. In addition, fees for testing, licensing etc. only represents a very small proportion of the costs of operating even the smallest vehicle.
It is also proposed to extend the test for HGVs and trailers later in the year to include a check of container twistlocks and loading arms and stabilising legs after some horrific accidents. The extended test will not be introduced before January 2005 allowing for a settling in period for operators and presenters before any vehicles are failed.
If you have any comments or queries relating to the above, please Email us on vosa.fees04@vosa.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was created on 1 April 2003 by merging the Former Vehicle Inspectorate and the Traffic Area Network Division of the Department for Transport. VOSA 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 accident, defects and recalls.
Should you require further information about VOSA, its work or help with stories or programming related to road safety and environmental protection please contact: Jay Fordham or Miranda Roberts, VOSA, 0117 954 3334/3233, e-mail jeanette.fordham@vosa.gov.uk / miranda.roberts@vosa.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 25/09/2006