The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 (“the 1981 Regulations”) as follows.

Amendments coming into force on 1st November 1991

1.  The 1981 Regulations no longer provide for the particulars to be contained in test certificates and notices of refusal of a test certificate.

2.  Examiners, inspectors appointed by a designated council or the Secretary of State are under no obligation to carry out examinations of a Class VI vehicle (a public service vehicle other than such vehicles in Class V) where—

(a) the vehicle is not submitted for examination at the time and date appointed; or

(b) the driver is asked to remain in the vehicle or its vicinity, to dive it, to operate its controls, to remove or refit its panels or to open or close its doors, and he declines to do so.

3.  The circumstances when the fee for the re-examination of a vehicle in Class VI is not payable are amended. The vehicle must be re-examined before the end of the next day following an earlier examination of it being a day on which the Secretary of State will accept vehicles for examination, and the person who re-examines the vehicle was already at the premises concerned for the purpose of carrying out another examination.

4.  Applications for duplicate test certificates for Class VI vehicles may now be made to the Secretary of State at any goods vehicle testing station.

5.  Other minor amendments are made.

Amendments coming into force on 1st January 1992

6.  A new Schedule 2 (the prescribed statutory requirements for tests) is substituted. The new Schedule specifies separately (except for Classes I and II: motor bicycles) the requirements for each Class of vehicle. This is primarily because new items have been added to the Class V requirements. Class V consists of “large passenger-carrying vehicles”, particular public service vehicles and play buses.

Amendment coming into force on 1st January 1993

7.  The version of Schedule 2 which is substituted on 1st January 1992 is substitutedby a further version. This is because of changes to the requirements for the Class IV and VII tests. Class IV vehicles are “motor cars” and “heavy motor cars” not being vehicles in Classes III, V, VI or VII. Class VII vehicles are goods vehicles of which the design gross weight is more than 3000 kilograms but does not exceed 3500 kilograms.The changes give effect to Council Directive 88/449/EEC (OJ No. L222, 26.7.1988, p.10) and 91/238/EEC (OJ No. L178, 6.7.91, p.29) which amended Council Directive 77/143/EEC (OJ No. L47, 18.2.1977, p.47) on the approximation of the Laws of the Member States Relating to Roadworthiness Tests for Motor Vehicles and their Trailers. Copies of these Directives can be obtained from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.