Consultation letter

This letter is to inform you of the DfT proposals to amend the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 to increase the maximum fees that can be charged for each of the 11 classes of MOT test covered by the regulations.

MOT fee changes

We hope to introduce the revised fee maxima as soon as possible during summer 2008.  The main factors which bear on the fee maxima changes are:

The anticipated annual rate of inflation of 2.7 % for each of the 2 years in the  period since the last fee round calculations up to the next intended revisions in April 2009.  This rate of 5.4% is the HM Treasury forecast for the combined period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2009;

The increases include  an up-rating of the amount collected from each test fee that goes to VOSA to covers their costs in administering the MOT scheme.  VOSAs part of the fee will increase from £1.71 to £1.85 per test.

All test fee maximums have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence.

It is important to bear in mind that the fees quoted are the maximum that may be charged for each class of vehicle test.  MOT test stations are free to set a lower fee if they so wish and many do.

A summary of the proposed fee increases is enclosed .

Application to devolved administrations

These proposals apply to England, Scotland and Wales by virtue of the fact that the parent legislation to the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations is the Road Traffic Act 1988, the powers under which are reserved for the Westminster Parliament.

Consultation responses

Please send your comments or detailed responses, by Wednesday 30th April 2008, in one of the following ways:

Write to me at LRI 2, Zone 2/09, GMH, 76 Marsham Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 4DR or

Email: rob.haggar@dft.gsi.gov.uk

To facilitate subsequent analysis, please ensure your comments clearly refer to paragraph or page numbers within the enclosed documents.  If you are responding as a representative organisation, please include in your response a summary of the people and organisations that you represent.

We have included a list of organisations / stakeholders that we have sent this consultation to. If you have any suggestions of others who may wish to be involved in the consultation process please let us know.

Code of practice on consultation

This consultation has been produced in accordance with the principles of the Government’s "Code of Practice on Consultation" which are included as an  annex . Ministerial Approval has been given for a shortened consultation period of just over 6 weeks to enable the new fee maxima to be introduced before late summer.  As the documents will be placed on the DfT website and are comparatively brief there should be plenty of time for people to read them and comment.

An Impact Assessment which sets out the implications for bringing in the proposed increases in the fee maxima is also included. There are no new burdens being imposed on business through these proposals as the fee maxima increases are usually an annual exercise and in this case are mainly composed of an allowance for forecasted inflation. Please let us have any comments on the Impact Assessment.

A summary of responses to this consultation will be published on our website: www.dft.gov.uk after the consultation period has closed.

According to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (2000), all information contained in your response to this consultation may be subject to publication or disclosure. This may include personal information such as your name and address. If you want your response or your name and address to remain confidential, you should explain why confidentiality is necessary. Your request will be granted only if it is it is consistent with Freedom of Information obligations. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your email system will not be regarded as binding on the Department

Enquiries

Enquiries about the contents of this consultation paper can be made to me at rob.haggar@dft.gsi.gov.uk or by phoning 0207 944 2457.

A list of the consultees that have been sent these documents directly is also enclosed.

Rob Haggar
Vehicle Roadworthiness Team
10  March 2008