Thursday 09 February 2012
Environment Department response to media enquiry from BBC Radio Guernsey
Enquiry:
We've been running a piece over the last 24 hours or so on the president of the Guernsey Motor Traders Association calling for MOT tests to be introduced in Guernsey (this is on the back of a similar story in Jersey). If possible, we'd like an interview with someone from Environment on this, or failing that a comment, looking at whether MOTs are likely to be introduced in Guernsey, and whether any moves or investigations have as yet been carried out to look at the feasibility of such a test for motor vehicles.
Response:
The subject of introducing an MOT type scheme in Guernsey is nothing new and was discussed by the States in 2006 as part of the Environment Department's Road Transport Strategy.
The States recognised the complexities associated with formalising such an arrangement in Guernsey and in the knowledge of the existence of the Vehicle Rectification Scheme and the fact that very few accidents in the Island were directly attributable to the poor condition of vehicles, supported the Department's decision not to recommend the introduction of an annual vehicle roadworthiness test.
In its 2011 States Report entitled 'Towards an Integrated Road Transport Strategy' the Department did not recommend the introduction of an MOT. However, the States has yet to have an opportunity to discuss these latest recommendations further.
The Department is currently unaware of any proposed requirements for vehicles travelling within the EU to have a certificate of roadworthiness but would review matters in the event that such proposals were likely to be considered at any point in the future.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
