The CVR test is a Fixed Cost Price Vehicle Test.
The price structure for vehicle testing in Ireland is set by the VTN network (CVR testing network).
This is the regulating body for truck testers in Ireland and is a government controlled agency. All vehicle testers are appointed by this body and carry out vehicle testing to strict guidelines and procedures.
The cost price of the test is determined by the type of vehicle which is being tested.
A simple rule of thumb is that the larger the vehicle, the higher the price of the test. The logic behind this is that it takes far longer to test a larger vehicle with 4 or 5 axles than a small car derived van.
The LGV test is a fixed price and is the same regardless of vehicle type although ambulances go into a different price schedule as shown below.
The HGV test is broken down in relation to:
1. The gross vehicle weight
2. The number of axles present on the vehicles
As the number of axles rise, so does the cost of the test. Because the brake test is such a large and time consuming part of the test, it is logical that the test is cheaper for vehicles with fewer axles.
Please note that the full test fee includes a levy element that is not subject to VAT.
Details of all test fees are prescribed in Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 347 of 2013 (PDF)
Retest Fees
A visual re-test is free, but a retest that requires a test lane has a fee as outlined above. All retests must be completed within 21 calendar days and within 4,000 kms of the initial test or you'll need to repeat the full test.
You should repair vehicle fail items immediately and present the vehicle for re-test as soon as possible.
Pass pending recheck of Minor Deficiencies – fees
There is no fee for a recheck if the test result for your vehicle is Pass pending recheck of minor deficiencies.
There is also no 21 day and 4,000 km rule for completing the recheck. However, we recommend that you get all minor deficiencies rectified and rechecked at the testing centre as soon as possible.
We cannot send out a CRW until the testing centre has confirmed that the minor deficiencies have been rectified.
What does the Test Fee include?
The test fee covers the following elements:
- Your commercial vehicle test
- Your certificate of roadworthiness – printing and postage of your CRW (no longer have to travel to your motor tax office)
- A Road Safety Levy – note the Road Safety Levy does not apply to re-tests. However if the vehicle is not brought back within on time and within 4,000Km limit then the vehicle will require a full test and you will be charged a further levy.
What is the Road Safety Levy used for?
The Road Safety Levy helps fund the CVR reform programme which has the aim of making our roads safer for everyone. The reform process has been worked on since 2007 and there have been no fee increases since then. The RSA has financed the upfront capital investment in the system so that the fee increases would only apply from the time benefits are being delivered.
The CVR reforms have their inception in the Kentstown and Clara collisions in which a number of children tragically lost their lives at a time when there was huge concern about the standard of our commercial vehicles at home and abroad.
The levy is being used to fund several reforms which support compliant operators including :
- An enhanced testing system with several benefits for road transport operators which support excellent customer service, including:
- Easy to use online test booking and reminder system
- Automatic posting of the Certificate of Roadworthiness (CRW) to registered owners eliminating the need to go to the motor tax office to exchange a pass statement for a CRW.
- Fewer documents to produce at the CVR testing centre – you don’t need to bring your vehicle registration document to the test centre anymore. This is significant improvement for any operator with vehicles all around the country.
- Overall increased CVR test integrity and consistency
- Enhanced supervision, enforcement and compliance measures by the RSA. This includes, for example, increased presence at the roadside and in Ports, and inspections of operator premises to review roadworthiness and safety records and practices.
- A new Operator Portal which can be used by operators as a repository for their fleet. HCV & PSV owners and operators are required to complete a self declaration via this portal providing details such as vehicles in the fleet, type of goods transported, vehicle maintenance details. This is a mandatory requirement.
All in all, the system aims to :
- improve the compliance of commercial vehicles and deliver safer roads for all road users
- support compliant commercial operators who are currently being undercut by non-compliant operators
- deliver several administrative improvements for commercial vehicle operators in connection with the annual test.
VAT Calculation on Fees
No vat is applied on the proportion of the fee passed on to the RSA (i.e. the road safety levy).
Certificate of Roadworthiness costs
The CRW cost that was paid by vehicle owners to the motor tax office is now included in the test fees above and the CRW certificate and detachable disc will be automatically posted to the current registered owner of the vehicle.
Further Information
If you require further information on Commercial Vehicle Testing please get in touch by emailing [email protected].