Is it time for compulsory trailer MOT and registration? We want to hear your views.
Under new legislation (the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018) all trailers over 750 kg and all non-commercial trailers over 3,500 kg travelling into Europe must be registered with DVLA from 28 March 2019. This is part of the preparations for Brexit and to help the continued smooth movement of freight between the UK and EU member states.
At present there is no requirement for trailers used exclusively for domestic purposes to be registered with DVLA.
However under the same legislation there is an obligation on the Government to:
- investigate the number and causes of road traffic accidents in Great Britain which involved any sort of trailer over 750 kg which caused death or injury
- make recommendations as to whether regulations should be introduced requiring that all trailers over 750 kg used on Great Britain’s roads are subject to mandatory roadworthiness testing and registration with DVLA.
The Government has commissioned research into road accidents involving trailers over 750kg and is scheduled to publish a report and assessment in July 2019 as to whether MOT and registration regulations covering trailers over 750 kg used exclusively on Great Britain’s should be made.
All types of trailer over 750 kg whether used commercially or purely for leisure could be included in any additional legislation including:
- agricultural trailers
- livestock trailers
- horse boxes
- caravans
- boat trailers
There could be benefits from mandatory registration and testing such as:
- improved road worthiness of the agricultural fleet
- removal of decrepit trailers from the fleet as the cost of repair could be uneconomical
- improved on road and off road safety
- increased security of trailers and reduction in thefts
The current registration fee for commercial trailers travelling to Europe from 28 March 2019 is £26. There is no information on what an MOT fee for trailers could be but it is likely it will not be more than the current car test fee of £56.00.
We want to hear your views and opinions to the following questions:
- Will the mandatory testing of all trailers improve safety
- Will mandatory registration improve trailer security and reduce crime
- If mandatory testing is introduced should trailers pulled by agricultural vehicles travelling at a speed of no more than 40 km/h (approx. 25 mph) be exempted on the grounds that their main use is on field with limited time on road
Please send your responses to VGhvbWFzLnByaWNlQG5mdS5vcmcudWs= by no later than 16 January 2019.