Revised Inspection Manuals - What You Need to Know

Updated: Jul 4, 2018

With the implementation of the EU Directive 2014/45 on harmonisation of roadworthiness testing in May 2018, DVSA have reviewed the inspection manuals for both HGV and PSV vehicles. The revised manual include details of additional test items, that include; daytime running lamps, reversing lamps, front fog lamps and headlamp cleaning devices (where mandatory). There is also a definition of unsafe modifications which may become a failure for certain items such as brakes or steering.

New defect categorisation

Article seven of the directive introduces defect categories such as Minor, Major and Dangerous. Any defects or problems found during the test will be categorised under one of these headings. The definitions of these categories is:

• Minor deficiencies – No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. This category would also cover minor non-compliance issues.
• Major deficiencies – May prejudice the safety of the vehicle or have an impact on the environment or may put other road users at risk. This would also cover other more significant non-compliance issues.
• Dangerous deficiencies - Defects that constitute a direct and immediate risk to road safety or would have an immediate impact upon the environment. These would be at a level that would justify the prohibition of the use of the vehicle on the public road.

Multiple defects

If a vehicle is found to have defects in more than one of the above categories it will be deemed to be in the category of the most severe deficiency reported. If a vehicle has a number of defects reported that are of the same deficiency category the vehicle may be categorised in the next level up of deficiency if it can be proven that the combination of the defects reported are likely to result in a higher risk to road safety.