In its statement issued on Friday, the agency said: “From today, all HGVs, trailers and PSVs with an annual test due to expire in a particular month will be issued with a three-month certificate of exemption (CTE) until further notice.
“Paper certificates will not be reissued for HGVs, trailers and PSVs, but we will amend the digital record so that vehicles can continue to operate.”
All HGVs, trailers and PSVs must still be maintained in in a roadworthy condition and operate within the terms of O licence conditions, the DVSA added.
The move was welcomed by the Road Haulage Association, with chief executive Richard Burnett saying: “These are unprecedented times that need creative and pragmatic new approaches.
“It is vital that all vehicles on our roads remain safe to use and their roadworthiness must be maintained at all times. Routine testing is a vital part of our safety culture and we believe it should be restored as soon as possible.”
Burnett added that the RHA does have concerns about the three-month suspension, saying “roadworthiness testing should recommence as soon as possible using qualified ATF staff operating under delegated authority from the secretary of state”.
He concluded: “Authorised delegated testing through the existing testing centres would increase efficiency of the system, will be better for operators and will be the most effective way to recover the system when testing restarts.”