VOSA fee changes 2012
VOSA not applying general increase to most statutory fees for the third year running.
Revised fees for annual lorry and bus testing and operator licensing will come into effect on 1 April 2012.
For the third year running, VOSA is not applying any general increase to most statutory fees - most changes aim to move costs between customers with no extra revenue for VOSA.
HGV and PSV testing fees are being adjusted to apply a differential between tests conducted at non-VOSA test facilities and VOSA test facilities.
The testing element of most fees at non-VOSA facilities will be reducing by 4% before rounding and those at VOSA sites will be increasing by 4% before rounding to charge more of the cost of providing VOSA facilities to users of those facilities.
The enforcement element incorporated in annual test fees (but not retest fees) will not change.
Fees for applications for HGV and PSV operator licences - and for varying and continuing such licences - will rise by 1.6%.
This will pay for the creation of a national register of licensed operators and their transport managers to comply with EU regulations which came into effect at the beginning of 2012.
The national register is one element of a package of measures aimed at creating a more level playing field for international transport operations and reducing distortion of competition across the EU.
VOSA is also equalising application fees for standard and restricted PSV operator licences since there is little difference in the cost of processing the applications.
VOSA estimates that the overall effect of the changes to all statutory fees will - at worst - increase overall operating costs for operators using VOSA test facilities by less than one hundredth of a per cent (0.01%) - but many customers using Authorised Testing Facilities (ATF) will pay less.
VOSA Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said:
We understand the financial pressures operators are under. That is why I am delighted that we have been able to avoid any general increase in fees for the third year running.
I’m also pleased to announce a fee differential for annual tests at non-VOSA sites which moves further towards charging the full cost of VOSA facilities to those who use those facilities.
This will make non-VOSA sites such as ATF an even more attractive option for operators getting vehicles tested.
Notes to editors
VOSA
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 accidents, defects and recalls
Make-up of HGV and PSV test fees
Since April 2010 the work VOSA does to encourage and enforce compliance with obligations to maintain and operate HGVs and PSVs in a safe and legal way has been funded from the enforcement element of fees for full tests.
No enforcement element is charged for partial retests within 14 days of failure. This activity was previously funded from vehicle disc fees.
Fees for full annual tests of PSVs also include an O licence element which contributes to the cost of running the operator the PSV operator licensing system which was previously funded from fees paid at grant and on continuation of licences.
VOSA media enquiries
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Press enquiries 0117 954 2561 / 3208
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