Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a retrospective test or tests are required in situations in which a commercial vehicle has been off the road and missed the annual commercial vehicle test; his plans to bring forward changes to alter same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45642/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The frequency of periodic roadworthiness testing for commercial vehicles is governed by Article 5 of Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014. Member States cannot exceed the testing intervals for different categories of vehicles laid down by the Directive.

The testing intervals for commercial vehicles registered in Ireland are set by Regulation 6 of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (as amended). The Vehicle Testing Regulations transpose into Irish law, many of the obligations set by Directive 2014/45/EU.

The roadworthiness standards for a vehicle can deteriorate when it is declared off the road as not only can the vehicle continue to be used on private property, some components such as tyres will degrade naturally over time. For these reasons it is not anticipated that vehicles that are declared off the road will have their due dates for periodic roadworthiness testing extended in any way.