Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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972. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the situation where DOE certificates are backdated on previously out of date vehicles/trailers; if his attention has been drawn to the nonsensical nature of the current system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1058/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Commercial vehicle owners have always been obliged to test their vehicle annually. This is a legal obligation in Ireland and throughout the EU. There have never been exemptions from this obligation and the requirement is not determined by the period that the vehicle is or has been in use or mileage.  

Roadworthiness testing standards are aimed at detecting any wear and tear, deterioration or alterations that could affect the roadworthiness or safety of the vehicle. There are no exceptions for vehicles which are temporarily off the road which can degrade and deteriorate during the period while they are off the road.

Since October 2013, the certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) issuing system is aligned to the longstanding obligation to have commercial vehicles tested annually.  The period of validity of the CRW is calculated by reference to the last test due date.  A delay on the part of a vehicle owner in completing the test has the effect of reducing the validity period of the CRW.   This change was introduced for the purpose of ensuring that operators who do not test their vehicles by the due date do not gain any economic advantage over operators who have their vehicles tested in accordance with the legal requirements.

I expect a review of the system as it applies to vehicles which are off the road for more than a year to be completed this year.   Any amendments to the system in respect of vehicles overdue the test by more than one year, and which have been off the road, would need to be considered against a background of very strong overall compliance, as well as road safety considerations.

Compliance with the obligation for annual testing is fundamental to improving the roadworthiness standard of commercial vehicles on our roads.  Apart from safer roads for all road users, the reforms being made to the commercial vehicle testing system are designed to level the competitive playing field for commercial vehicle operators by reducing non-compliance with testing and roadworthiness requirements.