MOT Testing Industry News
New ATL Requirements released
A couple of years ago MOT Testing editor Jim Punter challenged VOSA to justify the very long length required for MOT Testing Lanes. After discussions with him, VOSA Executives visited his MOT business to measure up his older Test lanes – with the ultimate result, two years later, that VOSA have now revised the requirements for both Automatic Test Lanes and One Person Testing Lanes so that they can be fitted into smaller premises – here are VOSA’s new requirements which will take effect on 1st November 2009.
Click here to view or download the New ATL Requirements PDF.
UK's biggest MOT scam?
MOT fraud on a massive scale has finally been stopped by VOSA - full story in 'MOT Testing Articles'.
Commercial Vehicle Show 2009 cancelled
The Commercial Vehicle Partnership, comprising the SMMT, RHA and SOE, and the CV Show Committee, made up of the partners and representatives from the commercial vehicle and component sector, agreed today to cancel this year’s CV Show scheduled for 28-30 April at Birmingham’s NEC.
The Partnership recognised in December that the economic downturn creates a difficult environment for vehicle manufacturers to commit to large international exhibitions. Nevertheless, some 290 exhibitors signed up for the Show requiring the Partners to consult widely with them on support for a focussed engineering-based alternative. The results indicate that while some support was forthcoming, it was not enough to retain the credibility that the CV Show has created as a major international event of its type and which the Partners and the Show committee were keen to maintain.
“We have obviously noted that just about every other show in this sector has been cancelled for 2009”, said RHA Chief Executive Roger King. “But the advanced status of ours did not permit us to cancel without careful consultation.
“This was a difficult decision but, on balance, the right one. What we learned from this exercise was that despite a generally negative response to 2009, there appears a much more positive approach to 2010 which encourages the Partnership to set plans in motion for a show in April of that year”.
“This is of course disappointing, but given the current economic climate and the uncertainty created, it is the only decision we could make. Naturally, the Partners are grateful for the NEC’s support for this decision,” said Nigel Emms, the CV Show Committee Chairman. “Future planning for the next Show should be done against the backdrop of the outstanding 2008 event and not a compromise one for 2009."
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive added: “2009 will be an extremely challenging year across the motor industry but this decision, while difficult, creates the opportunity to ensure the 2010 event best reflects the changing needs of the road transport industry.”
Finally, Society of Operations Engineers Chief Executive Nick Jones said: “Whilst the cost of cancellation may be considerable, all exhibitors will receive a full refund. We are confident that exhibitors will be ready to sign up when details are announced for the 2010 Show.”
The Commercial Vehicle Show is owned by the CV Show Partnership, comprising the Road Haulage Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), a professional sector of the SOE (Society of Operations Engineers).
Stephen Tetlow resigns as Chief Executive of VOSA
In an unexpected move, VOSA Chief Stephen Tetlow has resigned prematurely from his position in charge of the Government’s Vehicle Operator and Services Agency.
Tetlow joined VOSA as the Chief Executive commencing on 1st January 2005 and his VOSA Chief Stephen Tetlow: sudden departure.
first task was to resolve the huge problems encountered when the MOT Computer was switched on connecting them to the system.
Despite being advised by the trade to take time to resolve the problems encountered during those trials and delay full system roll-out, Tetlow went ahead – with disastrous results. There were frequent system breakdowns, and the backup systems failed to work when the help lines became clogged with calls from frantic MOT Testing Stations.
Nevertheless the MOT computer system now runs smoothly for most of the time and has received a number of awards.
At this stage no official statement has been issued by either VOSA or Tetlow regarding his resignation. It is not known why he is leaving before the tenure of his contract had been completed.
Did he jump or was he pushed? We have asked VOSA for a statement, but thus far have received nothing from them.
Alastair Peoples has taken the role of Acting Chief Executive of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) for the time being.