GET COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TESTED STRESS FREE

A good few busy van owner drivers to a question, when do you want your DOT test booked in, reply, yesterday! They explain that they went in to buy road tax, and they were refused as the van did not hold a current DOT certificate. Running a vehicle without current road tax attract a risk of fine from ever-watchful garda and the indifferent traffic wardens.  

We advise our customers to plan in advance and avoid those unpleasant encounters. Scheduled maintenance is less disruptive for any business. We recommend to carry out a DOT test at the same time as service, which would reduce vehicle downtime, as you would only have to come in to our workshop and DOT testing centre once.  

Many people are confused about commercial vehicles when it comes to testing. In case of cars, it’s simple: you get your NCT reminder, you go to NCT testing centre, and you get your NCT disc. When it comes to commercial vehicles, many people are confused what is VTN, DOE or DOT. VTN stands for Vehicle Testing Network. It is a brand name for all testing centers, created by Department Of Transport. Earlier on, the name for commercial vehicle testing was DOE. A lot of people use DOE instead of DOT to this day. DOE stands for Department of Environment, which was in charge of commercial vehicle testing. Now commercial vehicle testing is looked after by Department of Transport, therefore the name DOT.  

Another two pieces of documentation that may be confusing are DOT Certificate and Certificate of Roadworthiness. DOT Certificate is issued by testing centre when the vehicle passes DOT test. DOT Certificate must then be produced at Motor Taxation Office, which takes in the DOT Certificate, updates the system, and issues Certificate of Roadworthiness.  

DOT tests for commercial vehicles are carried out once every year, as opposed to 2 years for cars. The requirements for commercial vehicles are very similar to those of NCT requirements for cars. Many people are confused about jeeps and 4x4’s, as to whether they should be tested in DOT test centre or NCT. The answer is simple—you only need to check your Certificate of Registration and Licensing (the logbook). If the Vehicle Type is Private, it’s NCT, if Vehicle Type is Commercial, it’s DOT.  

We are offering advise and useful services to those customers choosing to import their vans, trucks, buses, or 4x4’s. The first step is to register the vehicle with Motor Taxation Office within one day of importing it. It may have to be weighed in order to determine its GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Then DOT test needs to be carried out. There may be extra requirements for to be met for Irish roads, especially for HGV’s. Road Safety Authority has been becoming increasingly strict on standards of HGV’s and buses. It will need tachograph calibrated, road speed limiter set, vehicle plate made out and fitted, reflective vehicle markings fitted to a standard. At M50 Truck & Van Centre we can do all of the above, including making out and fitting your new Irish number plates. If you are unsure about any part of the procedure, we will be happy to advise you.  

The only two things needed for the test is your Certificate of Registration and Licensing, and the appropriate fee. The logbook, which is informal name for the Certificate of Registration and Licensing used to be called Vehicle Licensing Certificate (VLC), or also called form RF-101. The original logbook is required, no copies or faxes accepted. The tools and boxes in the back of your van do not have to be cleared for the test. However, if you have a spare tyre, it must be securely fitted to it’s designed location. No other special preparation is required for DOT test, although we do recommend our clients to carry out Inspection or Service in our workshop on the day of DOT test. This is a great One Stop Shop facility, minimizing vehicle downtime, and virtually guaranteeing first-time pass. If there is a problem with the vehicle, we provide full report and advise of repair or replacement options.  

Current fees for the commercial vehicle testing have been set by Department Of Transport on 29 October 2007. A slight change in fees came into effect as of 01 December 2008, as the new VAT rate of 21.5% now applies. The current prices are as follows: 

*DGVW = Design Gross Vehicle Weight 

If the commercial vehicle fails the DOT test, it can be re-tested within two weeks for 50% fee of the original test, e.g. €43.05 for LGV. If the retest is only visual, re-test fee is waived. After two weeks full test has to be carried out, and full fee is charged. To avoid failing and time-consuming repairs and re-testing, we recommend our One Stop Shop facility of servicing, testing, and repairing the vehicle all in one day. Unless there is a major fault with the vehicle, we guarantee a first-time pass for all commercial vehicles.  Click here to book now