NFDA helps solve long-running truck dealer problem

A ban on truck dealers taking customers’ articulated trailers for testing using trade plates and their own tractor units has been lifted thanks an agreement reached between Government agencies and the RMI’s National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA).

The Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA) has decided that rules preventing dealers from transporting customer-owned trailer units, unless the dealer has registered tractor unit are impractical. From now on VOSA will not penalize truck dealers transporting customer trailers to VOSA testing stations for annual heavy goods vehicle tests.

Sue Robinson, NFDA Director, commented: ‘This is great news for the truck dealer sector. The rules on operator licenses have been a big problem for truck dealers for many years. The NFDA has been working with VOSA and other Government agencies to resolve the situation, and we are very pleased that a solution has been reached for our membership, and the wider industry.’

Since the setting of a legal precedent in 1993, truck dealers had been prevented from transporting customer-owned trailer units, unless the dealer had a registered tractor unit, with operator license. Because of the cost and complexity of operator regulations, few dealers were able to take on licenses within the framework of their business.

Robinson continues: ‘This law is unworkable, and many dealers were forced to flout the rules, risking prosecution as a result. The rules also caused problems for VOSA, who had difficulty enforcing them.’

The law still stands, but is expected to be permanently resolved via the new Operators License Reform Package Amendment due in mid 2009.

‘VOSA’s decision to take a pragmatic approach, and not take action against any dealer or repairer who transports a trailer to annual test with their own tractor will solve the problem at ground level, until the law can be amended,’ added Robinson.