Double standards a potential danger for road users
02 April 2008
Jim Allister has written to the Transport Minister, Ruth Kelly, expressing his concern at the fact that the DVA does not appear to take any interest in vehicles which foreign nationals bring to the UK.
Commenting, the Traditional Unionist MEP said:
“In February I expressed my surprise at the DVA permitting foreign licensed vehicles brought into the UK to be used for up to 6 months in 12 before they are required to be registered, but as there are no records of when vehicles enter the UK it is never possible to show the 6 months has expired. I have now written to the Minister responsible, Ruth Kelly MP, pointing out that this effectively gives an amnesty to foreign nationals who use such vehicles. I have also highlighted the fact that foreign registration plates are not detected by the DVA Automatic Number Recognition cameras.
“However, my greatest concern lies in the fact that foreign vehicles are immune from MOT requirements. Under Reg 6 para (1)(x) of the Moter Vehicle Testing Regulations (NI) 2003, foreign registered vehicles “temporarily” in Northern Ireland are exempt from the requirements of these regulations, with such exemptions lasting for 12 months. Again, as there is no way of proving date of arrival, the effect is an open-ended exemption from MOT.
“This is a scandalous situation which not only discriminates against locals who have the expense of both taxing and putting their vehicles through MOT, but is a potential danger to the lives of other road users. I have therefore called upon the Minister to urgently review the current regulations.”
ENDS
