RHA formally recommends HGV technician licensing scheme 12 September 2013

The RHA (Road Haulage Association) has endorsed the IRTE's irtec licensing scheme for commercial vehicle workshop technicians, and the new Workshop Accreditation scheme.

RHA head of technical services Ray Engley says that between them, both schemes provide valuable guides to hauliers seeking to choose a supplier for their HGV inspection, maintenance and repair services.

Engley adds that it also provides independent evidence that the technicians in the workshop are trained and competent.

"The RHA board has been keen to identify a standard that can assist members in choosing a provider, and the irtec standard does just that," explains Engley.

"It also has the advantage of being a scheme in which the industry is closely involved, in terms of setting and maintaining the standard," he continues.

"Hauliers should always actively manage their vehicle maintenance arrangements, because they remain responsible in law for the condition of their vehicles at all times, regardless of who is carrying out the maintenance," adds Engley.

And he reminds operators that in cases where standards do not meet regulatory requirements, or maintenance records are inadequately kept, it is the haulier's 'O' licence that is at risk – not the maintenance provider.

Engley adds that irtec adds further strength to the argument put forward by the RHA, and others, that HGV annual testing should be opened to the private sector, rather than remain a monopoly activity of VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency).

"High quality inspections are already being carried out and fully documented by the private sector on vehicles at least four and often eight times a year, and now we have a quality accreditation mark," he says.

"It is but a very short step to open up annual testing to those firms that can demonstrate they are maintaining and inspecting vehicles to a high standard."

Author
Brian Tinham

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