Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

673. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it is necessary to charge €43 for commercial vehicle roadworthiness re-testing. [34480/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​The Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (SI 347 of 2013) prescribe the charges applicable for the annual commercial vehicle roadworthiness (CVR) test and any re-test.

A charge for a re-test only applies in circumstances where it involves the use of testing equipment at the testing centre. There is no charge for a re-test involving a visual assessment where the use of test equipment is not necessary.

The CVR testing system is operated on a fully commercial basis and without any financial contribution from the State. Authorised by the Road Safety Authority, CVR tests are delivered by privately owned garages who are responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities to do so and who bear the financial and operational risks associated with such investment.

Apart from the introduction of the road safety levy as part of the fee for the annual CVR test, which incidentally does not apply to a re-test, there has been no change to the level of test fees since 2007. The model for commercial vehicle testing has been reviewed and it was decided by Government that the prevailing model involving the delivery of commercial testing by privately owned garages should continue.