TYRE BAN TEST CLARIFICATION

New regulations came into place on 1^st February 2021 which make it illegal to fit tyres aged 10 years or older to:

• The front axle of a goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500 kg
• The front axle of a bus or coach – including minibuses
• The rear axle of a minibus with single rear wheels fitted

Following on from this the DVSA have issuing new advisory notices regarding tyres on some annual MOT test certificates, which has seen concerns raised by affected vehicle operators.

Advisories can be used to tell the presenter that a component is close to becoming defective or to make a note for both DVSA and the presenter that the item was not able to be assessed during the test.

The DVSA recently issued a communication to answer some of those concerns. They note that sometimes an assessor is unable to gain access to read the 4 digit date code on the tyres used as part of a twin wheel set up on a heavy vehicle. In which case the presenter would be advised that the item was not able to be assessed.

The DVSA state “We want to reassure operators that this advisory:

• does not reflect poorly on the operator
• does not affect the roadworthiness status of the vehicle
• does not affect the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS)

The advisory is a reminder to the presenter or operator that they need to be confident in their tyre management system.”

Such an advisory is different to circumstances where a tyre date code is missing or damaged, which will still be a failure at annual test (MOT) on a steered front axle.