COVID 19 - CVR Test Extension Regulations

New Regulations came into force on 20 April 2020 which allow for the extension of test due dates on Commercial Vehicles for three months in certain circumstances. The purpose of these regulations is to cater for commercial vehicle owners who have not been in a position to present their vehicles for a CVR Test since 28 March 2020 due to COVID 19.

What is contained in these regulations?

In summary the regulations allow for the test due date on vehicles due a CVR Test on or after 28th March 2020 to be pushed forward by three months.

Vehicles coming within scope of these regulations include the following:

Any vehicle with a valid certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) on 28 March 2020 (i.e. test due date on or after 28 March 2020), will have its test due date pushed forward by 3 months.
Any commercial vehicle with a first test due date falling during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 30 June 2020, will have its test due date pushed forward by 3 months.

The regulations reset the test due date for those vehicles with a test due date on or after 28 March 2020 and this new date will then be the test due date for the future e.g. if a vehicle had a test due date of 1 April 2020, this will be extended to 1 July 2020 and if tested on time, its next test due date will be 1 July 2021 (assuming it usually gets a 12 month CRW).

The regulations do not allow for vehicles whose most recent CRW had expired before the 28 March 2020 or if a vehicle has its first test due date after 30 June 2020, so these vehicles will not be eligible for the extension.

Examples

Commercial vehicles due a test on or after 28th March 2020 (requiring an annual test)

Vehicle Registration CRW Expiry Date (pre new regulations) CRW Expiry Date (post new regulations) Subsequent CRW expiry date

151KK1234 01 May 2020 30 July 2020 30 July 2021

151KK1235 10 March 2020 10 March 2020 10 March 2021

Vehicle Registration	CRW Expiry Date (pre new regulations)	CRW Expiry Date (post new regulations)	Subsequent CRW expiry date
151KK1234	01 May 2020	30 July 2020	30 July 2021
151KK1235	10 March 2020	10 March 2020	10 March 2021

New Commercial Vehicles (requiring an annual test)

Vehicle Registration	Date of First Registration	Test Due Date (Pre new regulations)	Test Due Date (Post new regulations)	Subsequent Test Due Date
191KK1234	17 April 2019	17 April 2020	16 July 2020	16 July 2021
191KK1235	01 March 2019	01 March 2020	01 March 2020	01 March 2021

Do I need to apply to the RSA for the extension?

No. If your vehicle is eligible then the RSA will extend the test due digitally on the vehicle record. contained in the National Vehicle and Driver File. The RSA will not be issuing revised CRWs. and you should continue to display your existing CRW on your vehicle (s)

You will be able to check the new CRW expiry date online using our CRW checker but please be aware that it will take some time for the records to be updated and for your new test date to be visible online.

What about taxing my vehicle?

The requirement to have a CRW to tax a commercial vehicle has been revoked so you will be able to tax your vehicle without having a CRW.

The obligation to hold a current CRW for a vehicle being used on a public road continues to apply and there is no change to the requirement on vehicle owners and operators to ensure that all commercial vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition prior to use on public roads.

What if my vehicle was overdue a test on 28 March 2020?

If your vehicle was overdue its test on 28 March 2020 then no extension applies. CVR Testing services were operational up to 28 March 2020.

What are the rules if my vehicle was due a retest?

If the vehicle CRW expiry date was after 28 March 2020 then the vehicle will be eligible for an extension. If the CRW expiry date was prior to 28 March 2020 then no extension will be applied.

If the CRW expiry date was prior to 28 March 2020 and you are awaiting a re-test the vehicle must undergo a full test when normal services resume. This is because the condition of the vehicle may have changed since the fail test.

What if my last test result was pass pending re-check for minor defects?

A re-check can be completed on your vehicle when testing resumes. In the meantime, the Authority are exploring how such checks might be done in the short-term having regard to HSE guidance. Please continue to check our website for updates in this regard.

What should I do if my CRW is on hold due to me not having Presenter ID with me on the day of the test?

The RSA recommends that a copy of a valid ID should be supplied to the RSA. The RSA will arrange, with the testing centre concerned, to issue the CRW for the vehicle. This information can be sent to CVRTadmin@rsa.ie

What about my Risk Rating?

In the case of vehicles that qualify for the extension, the deferral of the test due date will not affect their owners CVORI rating, but please understand that it will take some time to make the changes to all the eligible vehicles. However, those vehicle owners who failed to have their vehicle tests completed on time by 28 March 2020 may be impacted.

Further information

The RSA have prepared a more comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document and will continue to update this website with further information as and when it becomes available.

In the meantime, if you have any further questions please get in touch with us at cvrtadmin@rsa.ie