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A number of changes to the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test system, including those driven by EU Directive 2014/45, came into force on 20 May 2018.
This page will give you a brief overview of those changes and how they will impact on commercial vehicle owners and operators.
Since 20 May where only minor defects are identified during a Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, that is, no major or dangerous defects were identified during the test, then your vehicle will not be required to undergo a re-test.
However, the registered owner of the vehicle will not automatically receive the Certificate of Roadworthiness (CRW) until the minor defects have been confirmed as rectified. You can get this confirmation easily by returning to the authorised CVR centre where the original CVR test was carried out after you have had the minor defects rectified. You will not be charged a fee for this re-check.
Find out more about the pass with minor deficiencies result on our CVR test results page.
Currently older vehicles, normally tested within the commercial vehicle test regime, are obliged to be tested annually even if they are not used for commercial purposes.
From May 2018, these rules will change to the following:
Important Note: If you are using your vehicle for commercial purposes, for example as a wedding hire vehicle, there is no change to the test frequency and you must continue to have your vehicle tested annually.
Find our more on our CRW and Vintage vehicles page.
If your vehicle is converted or modified, for example from an M1 passenger vehicle to an N1 light commercial vehicle, from May 20 its test due date will be the “date of conversion” as recorded by the motor tax office. This means that the CRW expiry date for your vehicle, once it passes the CVR test, is aligned with the date of conversion rather than the date that your vehicle may have passed the test. Therefore there will be no advantage in delaying having your modified vehicles tested.
| Date of conversion | Date of CVR test | Date CRW expiry date will be calculated from:- |
|---|---|---|
| 01/06/2018 | 12/07/2018 | 01/06/2018 |
Find out more on our CRW on Imported or Converted vehicles page.
Imported vehicles
CRW expiry date and test due dates
From May if your vehicle is a used commercial imported vehicle (second-hand imported vehicle), its test due date will now be aligned with its date of first registration in Ireland.
This means that the CRW expiry date of your imported vehicle, once it passes its CVR test, is aligned with the vehicle's date of registration in Ireland rather than the date that the date it may have passed its CVR test.
If your imported vehicle is less than 1 year old then the test due date will be aligned with your vehicle's date of first registration in its country of origin. These arrangements mirror what is currently in place for the NCT and ensures that there is no incentive to delaying having your imported vehicle tested.
| Age of vehicle | Date of first registration (In country of origin) | Date of first registration in Ireland | Test due date | CRW expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle over 1 year old | 15/01/2012 | 25/01/2018 | 25/01/2018 | 25/01/2019 |
| Vehicle under 1 year old | 10/05/2017 | 25/01/2018 | 10/05/2018 | 10/05/2019 |
Find out more on our CRW on Imported or Converted vehicles page.
Part of the new EU directive requires member states to recognise valid roadworthiness certificates issued by another EU member State.
NOTE THAT CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY TESTING AUTHORITIES OUTSIDE THE STATE IN RESPECT OF VEHICLES WHICH ARE ALREADY REGISTERED HERE AND THEREFORE ARE NOT BEING IMPORTED WILL NOT BE RECOGNISED AND INSTEAD MUST BE TESTED AT A CVR TESTING CENTRE
So, if you import a second-hand commercial vehicle, for example from France, and it has a valid roadworthiness certificate issued by the relevant French competent authority, then from May 20 you can apply to the RSA requesting that we recognise any remaining portion of the roadworthiness certificate. So, if you import a second-hand commercial vehicle, for example from France, and it has a valid roadworthiness certificate issued by the relevant French competent authority, then from May 20 you can apply to the RSA requesting that we recognise any remaining portion of the roadworthiness certificate.
Find out more on our EU mutual recognition of roadworthiness certificates page
We will amend the format and layout of the current CRW document so that it conforms to the new EU standardised format required in all EU member states.
In addition to the system changes to the CVR test listed above, there will be a number of changes to CVR test defect classifications. Defects now found during the CVRT will be categorised as follows:
| Severities | Severities Explained | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | A direct and immediate risk to road safety or having an impact on the environment. The vehicle should not be used on the road under any circumstances. It is illegal to drive until the vehicle has been repaired |
Fail |
| Major | It may affect the safety of the vehicle, have an impact on the environment, and put other road users at risk or other more significant non-compliances. Repair immediately. |
Fail |
| Minor | No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. If only minor defects are identified, the vehicle will be deemed passed "Pending Re-check". The pass statement will not issue until the vehicle is represented for a visual inspection with the defects rectified. Repair as soon as possible |
Pass pending re-check |
| Advisory | Advisory notice it could become more serious in the future. Monitor and repair issue if necessary. |
Pass |
| Pass | The vehicle meets the minimum legal standard of the CVRT. Make sure the vehicle remains in a roadworthy condition |
Pass |
Please note specifically the new test items now classified as dangerous defects:
| Tyre Tread Depth | Where a tyre is found to have less than 1.6mm tread depth in the centre three-quarters of the tread pattern this is now considered a dangerous defect. Previously the tester could classify such defects as either major or dangerous. |
|---|---|
| Doors |
Door cannot be shut or opened properly or is liable to open on its own previously was a major or dangerous defect. Now the reason for failure is split into two, if a door is missing or is likely to open inadvertently, this is a dangerous defect. If a door cannot be opened or shut normally this is a major defect. |
| Where a vehicle is identified as being dangerously defective during a test, the CVR Tester will place a "Fail Dangerous" sticker on the vehicle. It is an offence to drive a dangerously defective vehicle in a public place. | |
Other changes to classifications
| Oil Weep Steering System | Pass advisory now applies where there is a slight oil week detected in the steering system |
|---|---|
| Moisture in a lamp | If any lamp (headlamp, stop lamp etc.) contains water or moisture this is now considered a minor deficiency. Before it was at the discretion of the tester to categorise such defects as either a minor or major defect. |
| Brake pipe defects | Brake pipes perished, porous, kinked, chafed, damaged or rusted to the extent that the pipe is pitted previously was categorised as a major or dangerous defect. This is now classified as a major defect. |
| Electrical Sockets | Electrical sockets where towing coupling is fitted are now checked for presence (minor defect), security (minor defect) and operation (major defect). |
| Wheel embellishers or hub caps | If wheel embellishers or hub caps are not removed for test this is now a major defect. |
For further information on the changes to CVR Test Defect classifications visit our CVR Testers manuals page.
From 20 May 2018, fast tractors must undergo periodic tests and must display certificates of roadworthiness (CRWs).
A ‘fast tractor’ is defined as a wheeled tractor in category T with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h.
Exemptions
A fast tractor will not have to undergo a commercial vehicle test if it is used:
It is important to note that an exemption from undergoing a commercial vehicle test is not an exemption from the requirement to ensure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition when it is used on a public road.
Find out more on our Fast Tractor testing page.
The regulations underpinning these items are covered under S.I. 117 of 2018 - Commercial Vehicle Testing amendment regulations (PDF).
Queries or further information
If you require further information on any of the above please get in touch with us at:
Email : cvrtadmin@rsa.ie
Post:
Commercial Vehicle testing
Road Safety Authority
Clonfert House
Loughrea
Co. Galway