GET COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TESTED STRESS FREE

A good few busy van owner drivers to a question, when do you want your CVT 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 CVT 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 CVT test at the same time as service, which would reduce vehicle downtime, as you would only have to come in to our workshop and CVT 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 CVT, 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 CVT to this day. DOE stands for Department of Environment, which was in charge of commercial vehicle testing. Later, commercial vehicle testing is looked after by Department of Transport, therefore the name DOT. In 2009 the name has been rebranded to CVT - Commercial Vehicle Test.

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

CVT 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 CVT 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 CVT.  

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 CVT 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 CVT test, although we do recommend our clients to carry out Inspection or Service in our workshop on the day of CVT 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 CVT 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

Engineers Reports for Camper Vans as required by Insurance Companies

Camper vans aren't classified as Personal vehicles needing NCT, neither they are classified as Commercial vehicles needing DOT. In order to ensure camper vans are roadworthy, insurance companies require Engineers Report.

Engineers Report in essence requires essential checks carried out on Camper Van, just like NCT or DOT does.

At M50 Truck & Van Centre we carry out Engineers Reports for all Camper Vans, as well as we do service Camper Vans. A-Serivce is only €150+vat, and full B-Service is only €285+vat for any van-based Camper Van.

Click here to book Engineers Report or Service 

(select DOT option for Engineers Report in the next step)

You can also make a booking by email or over the phone: 01-8443100

SALE NOW ON: ERF PARTS STOCK CLEARANCE !

We are continuing a sale of large number of ERF parts. Limited numbers of parts are available, parts will be sold on first come first serve basis. This is a great opportunity to grab a bargain for your truck, so don’t miss out! Click on the link below to download the list.

We take ERF parts orders from UK and worldwide, please ring 00 353 18443100 during working hours 8:30-17:00 GMT +0 time. You can also fax your enquiries to 00 353 18443130, or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Accepted method of payment is through Paypal. If you do not have Paypal account, you can create one on www.paypal.com. There may be a delay from our side in obtaining cost of shipping as we would have to contact shipping agency to obtain price.

ERF proved to be solid and reliable trucks in 74 years of their existence. There were over 100000 pruduced since Edwin Richard Foden split from Foden steam-powered truck manufacture. Great number of ERFs stayed in home Britain, however the ERF network extended to Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg. In Ireland Summerhill Commercials were appointed as Distributors in 1989 and sold over 500 ERF’s in over a decade.  

 In 2002 ERF were taken over by MAN and ERFs became MANs with ERF badge and Cummins ISM engine option. However, Cummins failed to comply with Euro4 regulations and Cummins engine option was dropped with MAN D20 engine as the only option. In July 2007 MAN announced to drop the ERF badge altogether.  

In Ireland ERF used to be the number one choice truck for oil companies. Customers included Wincanton, Reynolds, Statoil and numerous heating oil providers. Other major customers include BOC, Calor Gas, ESB, Superquinn, Irish Industrial Explosives, Fingal Aviation, Shannon Airport, Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Enva, Tankfreight.

Many of Irish ERF’s were sold back to UK, but a good number of them can still be seen on Irish roads. Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann tow wagons are maintained to roadworthy condition, as this Bus Eireann ERF E10 pictured below.

Summerhill Sommercials have moved from Summerhill in Dublin 2 to North Road, just off M50 motorway at Junction 5, and is now trading as M50 Truck and Van Centre. All ERF parts will continue to be available from M50 Truck & Van Centre, as well as workshop expertise.  

Should you need any expert advise or further information please contact Peter, Neil or Noel on 01-8443100.

Click on this link to download special offer list