Revised fees for annual PCV and HGV testing and operator licensing will come into effect on April 1.
For the third year running, VOSA is not applying any general increase to most statutory fees.
Fees for HGV and PSV testing are being adjusted to apply a differential between tests conducted at non-VOSA test facilities (ATFs) and VOSA test facilities – with the “testing element” of most fees at ATFs reducing by 4% before rounding. Those at VOSA sites will increase by 4% before rounding to charge more of the cost of providing VOSA facilities to users. The “enforcement element” incorporated in annual test fees (but not retest fees) will not change.
O-licence application fees – and for varying and continuing such licences – will rise by 1.6%. This will pay for the creation of a National Register of licensed operators and their transport managers to comply with EU Regulations which came into effect at the beginning of 2012. The National Register is one element of a package of measures aimed at creating a more level playing field for international transport operations and reducing distortion of competition across the EU. VOSA is also equalising application fees for standard and restricted PSV operator licences since there is little difference in the cost of processing the applications.
VOSA estimates the overall effect of the changes to all statutory fees will, at worst, increase overall running costs for operators using VOSA test facilities by less than one 0.01% – but many customers using ATFs will pay less.
“We understand the financial pressures operators are under. That’s why I’m delighted we’ve been able to avoid any general increase in fees for three years,” said VOSA’s Alastair Peoples.
“I’m also pleased to announce a fee differential for annual tests at non-VOSA sites which moves further towards charging the full cost of VOSA facilities to those who use those facilities. This will make non-VOSA sites such as ATF’s an even more attractive option for operators getting vehicles tested.”
Visit www.dft.gov.uk/publications/fee-hgv-psvtesting-licensing for details of the new fees.
