To catch the test dodgers
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• The Ministry of Transport this week revealed its plans for ensuring that the issue of a goods vehicle excise licence is dependent upon the holding of a valid test certificate. From the autumn of this year, renewals of licences for pre-1961 goods vehicles will have to be accompanied by a test certificate, while the scheme will operate from April I 1970 for all other goods vehicles over 30cwt unladen.
This was announced at a meeting on plating and testing at the Ministry on Monday, attended by operator and manufacturer associations. The Ministry has also agreed that late-corners, who have not had vehicles tested at the right time, will not be able to jump the queue but will have to wait their turn. Also accepted in principle is an FTA suggestion that all bookings for re-tests should be made locally and not through the Swansea Centre. It is also possible that operators prevented from submitting a vehicle for test because of severe weather may have their fee carried forward to the actual test date.
Draft regulations for the testing of 1968 vehicles, not covered by the present scheme, are expected from the Ministry soon. In these cases, plating will largely be an authentication of the manufacturer's plate, but operators will be able to apply for an early test if they wish to have the manufacturer's plate overridden, for example when down-rating to suit the use of low-rated tyres.