A Guide to Truck and Van Testing in Ireland

This test was introduced in 1980 and was rolled out through a network of independent test centres around Ireland.

At this time the test was referred to as the Doe test. This initially consisted of a HGV and LGV test. The test is concerned with checking some of the main components of vans and trucks in Ireland. The main portion of the test is the braking and suspension check. The Doe inspection incorporates brake testers which check the braking efficiency of each axle. The suspension system is also checked for wear. This can include items such as track road ends, kingpins and drag links. Currently the test is called the VTN test and is administered by the Vtn testing Network.

The current VTN inspection is almost identical to the Doe test except it is a little more expansive. The most common VTN test is the Light VTN test for LGV's.

• An LGV is classed as a vehicle which can be driven on a normal car licence in Ireland. Typically if your vehicle does not have a tachograph it will only require the LGV test. Another way of checking is by finding the chassis plate of the vehicle. In Ireland, the chassis plate will show the GVW (gross vehicle weight) of the vehicle, if this number is 3,500kgs or less than your vehicle requires an LGV test.
• The HGV test is more complex as it is broken down into around 6 possible tests. As a rule of thumb, the more axles that a truck possesses, the higher the cost of the vehicle test. This is because of the additional time that is required to text vehicles with multiple axles. Each axle needs to be tested for brake and suspension wear. Typically if a vehicle is fitted with a tachograph it will require a HGV test in Ireland.

What is the legislation covering the testing of trucks in Ireland?

Currently trucks and vans need to be tested on an annual basis. On successful completion of a test the vehicle is issued a pass certificate. This pass certificate is needed to be presented when taxing your commercial vehicle. Without this certificate you cannot get your commercial vehicle taxed. What happens if my vehicle does not pass the Doe / Vtn Test? It is common that vehicles need to undergo some form of repair prior to being issued a pass certificate. If your vehicle requires attention, you have 21 days to get the work carried out with a maximum permissible distance travelled of 4,000km. If you are outside of either of these thresholds you need to get a full test again. The retest fee is charged only if pit equipment is required to carry out the retest. The retest fee is 50% of the full cost of a test.

John Murphy
Murphys Truck Centre
Ballymount
Dublin 22
Ireland.
http://www.murphystrucks.ie