Huge backlog of tests a concern for industry.

Technician concentrating

Road transport regulator DVSA has been urged to delegate annual HGV tests to private sector companies to ease the backlog caused by Covid-19.

Tests have been suspended since 23 March and, despite DVSA granting three-month extensions, there is now a huge backlog of thousands of tests.

The Authorised Testing Facility Operators Association (ATFOA) says that unless testing can be delegated to ATF operators, using qualified testers, road safety and financial security cannot be guaranteed.

Stephen Smith, ATFOA Chairman said: “We would like to see delegated testing implemented immediately, employing independent ATFs working under the authority of DVSA.

“ATFs already prepare HGVs for testing and for their six-weekly checks, which are to a standard higher than their annual test, so we can easily and competently start testing now.”