CVR Test Centre upgrades

CVR Test Centre upgrades​

Upgrades to the CVR testing network to be completed by 18/03/2027

There are some exciting changes coming to the CVR testing network!

CVR testing premises and equipment have been and are being upgraded to meet the latest statutory requirements on or before 18/03/2027. Please read our responses to frequently asked questions in relation to this upgrade below.

FAQs

1. What changes are coming to Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) centres in 2027?
2. From 19/03/2027 all authorised CVR testing centres will meet a new higher standard in relation to their premises and equipment requirements as set out in legislation – SI 475/2022

1. What impact will the CVRT centre upgrades have on the CVR test?
2. There will be no perceptible impact on the CVR test itself. CVR testing will continue to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate CVR testing manuals. However, the CVRT centre upgrades will mean that CVR tests will be carried out in premises which are more standardised, using equipment that enable CVR tests to be carried out more efficiently and effectively.

1. What impact will the CVRT centre upgrades have on CVRT customers?
2. The CVRT centre upgrades will help to ensure the quality and reliability of the CVR test. Irrespective of which CVRT centre you bring your vehicle(s) to, the test will be carried out to the same high standard.

1. Will some CVRT centres close after 18/03/2027?
2. Yes, some CVT test operators have taken the decision not to upgrade their premises to comply with minimum requirements and will cease testing after 18/03/2027. CVR test centre operators were given an additional three years (from 18/03/2024 to 18/03/2027) to decide whether they would continue to provide the service. Some have decided not to continue.

1. Which CVRT centres will close after 18/03/2027?
2. The RSA cannot provide the names and locations of the CVR testing centres which have decided to cease providing the services post 18/03/2027. These are all privately owned businesses operating in a deregulated market and they may open and close at any time. However, the RSA is satisfied that the service will continue to be provided by a network of CVR testing centres throughout the country.

1. Will there be any difficulty or delay in getting my commercial vehicle tested?
2. We do not expect that the closure of CVR testing centres will have a significant impact on test capacity or geographically, as there is excess capacity in the CVR testing network. However, there may be some short-term impacts as CVR test customers become accustomed to having their testing done in a new location at a different CVR testing centre.

1. How will I find a CVR test centre close to me?
   Please use the link Find a Test Centre

1. How will I know if my local CVR test centre is planning to continue?

You can ask at your local CVRT centre or check the CVR Test Operator Register

1. 
   What is the purpose of the CVR test operator register?

The CVR Test Operator Register shows all authorised CVR test operators and the status of the authorisations. If your preferred/local CVR test operator is authorised to 2034 or later there will be no impact on your CVR testing centre preferences.

Some CVR test operators are in the process of completing works during 2026. The CVR Test Operator Register is updated as soon as a CVR test operator authorisation has been renewed.

1. How many CVR testing centres have been impacted by the requirement to upgrade their premises?
2. All CVR testing premises which were authorised in 2014 with a special condition and any CVR testing premises which did not meet the premises requirements set out in Annex A of the Premises and Equipment Guidelines which was shared with CVR test operators on 19/05/2022.

Additional information about CVR testing

1. Why do the premises used for Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) need to be upgraded?
2. Testing of commercial vehicles in Ireland has been undertaken since 1982 for heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs), and since 1993 for light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Up to 2013, private garages applied to their local authorities to obtain licences to operate as CVR testing centres. The responsibility for the authorisation and supervision of commercial vehicle testing centres was transferred from local authorities to the RSA in 2013, and these testing centres became known as Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness testing centres or CVR testing centres. The RSA authorised all CVR test operators to 2024, many were given special conditions in relation to elements of their premises which did not meet requirements. It is now time to standardise CVRT premises in order to ensure quality, reliability and preparedness for the future.

1. What changes has the RSA introduced to the CVRT centres since 2014?
2. The RSA renewed CVR test operators’ authorisations for a 10-year period from March 2014. Every CVR test operator is required to abide by the conditions of their Authorisation to carry out CVR testing. CVR test operator conditions of authorisation include but are not limited to requirements relating to CVR testing, CVR testers, connectivity to the CVR information system, opening hours, fees, remote observation of test lanes, inspection activities, complaints handling, suspension and revocation of authorisation and data protection.

An independent strategic review of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing regime was carried out in 2019.  The findings of the review were that the current model should remain, for a further 10 years to 2034, with a series of improvements required. These improvements included the requirement to upgrade all CVR testing premises to a new higher standard.  

Initially these premises upgrades were due to be completed by 18/03/2024 but this due date was extended to 18/03/2027 to provide additional time to CVR test operators due to COVID-19 and other unexpected delays.

1. Describe the special conditions provided to CVR test operator authorisations issued by the RSA in 2014?
2. The Special conditions granted in 2014 were mainly concerned with premises which did not have a drive through test lane and/or for HCV pit lengths which did not meet the required length of pit length of 20 metres. There were also some other special conditions granted for other items concerning premises such as door heights.

The current definition of a drive-through in the Premises and Equipment Guidelines states: “It must be possible to drive with ease each of the vehicles or combinations of vehicles in the category to be tested from the site entrance through the test lane and to the site exit in one movement. The drive through of each test lane must be achievable in one easy forward movement with no risk posed to persons in the environs of the testing area.”

1. Which legislation underpins CVR testing?
2. A. S.I. No. 104/2013 – Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2013. The passing of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 (the 2012 Act) allowed for the provision of “a system to ensure the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles” in addition to conferring upon the RSA the functions to supervise the system.

Since the 2012 Act, there have been seven Statutory Instruments that further developed the regulations around Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness these can be found by clicking on this link - The legislation 

1. What is the relevant legislation underpinning the CVRT centre upgrades?

From 19/03/2027 all authorised CVR testing centres will meet the requirements set out is SI 475 of 2022.  This legislation requires CVRT centres to meet a higher standard across the network. Many CVR test operators have already invested and renewed their authorisations to 2034, others are in the process of upgrading their premises and others still have decided not to continue providing the service after 18 March 2027. Here is a link to additional relevant legislation The legislation 

1. Please explain the content of SI 475 of 2022 in further detail?
2. S.I. No. 475 of 2022 Authorisation of Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness test operators and testers (amendment) Regulations 2022: These regulations amend the Authorisation of Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Operators and Testers Regulations 2013 ( S.I. No. 107 of 2013 ) to provide for the following:

• prescribe standards as required by Section 11(2) of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012,

• introduce premises improvements and remove the special conditions relating to drive throughs and HCV pit lengths,
• delay the requirement to comply with standards to 18 March 2027, which shall allow:

- premises that already meet standards to be authorised for up to 10 years, 

- sufficient time for upgrading of premises that do not meet standards, 

- affected CVR test operators to renew their authorisations using existing premises until 18 March 2027 and subsequently using upgraded premises which meet standards until 18 March 2034. 

This approach shall give affected CVR test operators a 3-year grace period, and

• introduce dimension tolerances for testing premises (where dimensions are close to the minimum required) in very limited circumstances where there will be no material impact on the standard of testing or the standard of the premises. Ensuring the improvement of standards is achieved where possible without excluding a testing premises that narrowly fails to meet one or two of the dimension requirements.  

1. How have these upgrade requirements been communicated to CVR test operators?

These requirements have been communicated since 2004. CVR test operators have been kept informed via Circulars, Guidelines, RSA Notices, Consultation, Strategic Review, Statutory instruments, presentations at their annual conference and via one-to-one engagement by email, phone and in person.

Every affected CVR test operator has received tailored communications in relation to their own circumstances.

In addition, the table below provides a register of some significant documents which were shared in relation to these requirements over the years.