VOSA opens 350th Authorised Testing Facility (ATF)
Commercial vehicle testing reaches another milestone in the UK as another private testing facility is opened.
Bus, coach and truck operators now have more choice than ever of where to go for annual tests as VOSA announces the opening of the 350th Authorised Testing Facility (ATF).
VOSA presented Morrisons Regional Distribution Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, with a certificate on Wednesday 24 July to commemorate the fact it had opened the 350th ATF.
ATFs are privately-owned businesses where a VOSA tester carries out annual tests on heavy goods and passenger service vehicles.
The ATF network is part of VOSA’s Testing Transformation Programme (TTP) which gives customers more choice of where to go for tests whilst at the same time reducing vehicle down-time.
Almost 70% of all tests are now carried out at private sites away from VOSA’s own test stations.
VOSA Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said:
The opening of the 350th ATF at Morrisons in Somerset is another milestone in the transformation of bus, coach and truck testing.
The first ATF opened in January 2010. Today there are now 350 with nearly 70% of tests conducted at non-VOSA sites.
ATFs offer a number of benefits. For most of those getting vehicles tested, it means a shorter distance to travel meaning less downtime for vehicles and employees as well as savings on fuel costs.
And where vehicles are tested at the site of maintenance, you also tend to see a higher first-time pass rate.
Robert Ward from Morrisons said:
From an operation perspective it will enable DHL/Morrisons to reduce dead mileage, fuel usage and unproductive workshop hours for the 170 plus MOTs required for this fleet on an annual basis alone.
Also, the opportunity to facilitate external third party MOT testing is a first for Morrisons.
Notes to editors
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
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