Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

I thank the Deputy for the question. Commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing, CVRT, in Ireland is largely based on the EU roadworthiness directive, which is Directive 2014/45/EU. Although the directive has not set specific standards, it requires the provision of modern, up-to-date testing facilities to ensure all tests are carried out in accordance with the directive. While as Minister of State I have responsibility for the legislation governing commercial vehicle testing, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation and oversight of the system, including the authorisation of CVRT facilities and operators. The standards required for CVRT premises were set out by the Department of Transport in 2004 but implemented differently by the local authorities. The need for existing CVRT premises to meet these standards has been discussed since 2013. In 2019, the operators were made aware their premises would need to meet the new standards, including drive-through lanes, to renew their authorisations in 2024.

In 2022, new regulations, SI No. 475/2022 - Authorisation of Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Operators and Testers (Amendment) Regulations 2022, amended SI No. 107 of 2013 to set out new standards for the authorisation of CVRT operators, including the requirement for drive-through lanes.

The regulations supported revised requirements in the RSA's premises and equipment guidelines, with which CVRT operators must comply to obtain or renew an authorisation in accordance with the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012.

Among other things, the new regulations set out the minimum standards required for currently authorised testing facilities to renew their authorisation for the next ten-year period. They also delayed, for three years, those requirements for CVRT operators whose premises did not meet the new standards on expiry of their previous authorisation in March 2024 until March 2027. This three-year grace period, introduced because of Covid-19, gave authorised operators the opportunity to review the new standards and make informed decisions on whether to make the necessary investment to comply with them as well as sufficient time to carry out any upgrades.

The RSA has informed the Department of Transport that the majority of CVRT operator authorisations issued under section 11 of the 2012 Act will expire in March 2027. The RSA has also advised that the majority of operators whose authorisations expired in 2024 already meet the required standards and will be able to renew their authorisations for ten years to 2034. Others will have to decide whether to upgrade their premises in order to continue as authorised operators after March 2027.

Overall, the changes will mean consistent standards in roadworthiness testing facilities for the Irish commercial fleet.

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