Vehicle inspection scheme plans 'finalised'

Plans will mean motorists paying for vehicles to be checked five years after purchase and then every three years

Proposals for a compulsory vehicle inspection scheme in Guernsey have been finalised, the States has said.

The Environment and Infrastructure Committee said it had completed the consultation with the island's motor industry on different options for the scheme.

It said it was set to meet with businesses to present the ideas, before options were carried forward.

The initial timeline for its introduction was 2022 but it was set back due to the Covid pandemic. A second deadline for April 2024 was also missed due to several reasons.

'Move ahead'

Addressing delays to the introduction of the plans vice-president of the committee Deputy Adrian Gabriel blamed "limited staff resources and other Traffic and Highway Services priorities" for the previous lack of progress on the scheme.

He said he was pleased the work could "move ahead".

He said: “Officers compiled options for the committee to consider the way forward regarding how the scheme will operate, who it will be operated by and potential timelines.

"The committee, after this engagement has now reached a position where it has finalised proposals that it wishes to confirm with the industry."

'Long way to go'

The States agreed to introduce periodic vehicle inspections after signing up to the Vienna Convention in December 2019.

It would mean motorists paying for vehicles to be checked five years after purchase and then every three years. Commercial vehicles will be required to test annually.

Robert Cornelius, president of the Guernsey Motor Traders Association (GMTA), described the progress on the plans as "positive" but said he anticipated a long road ahead before it was up and running.

He said "there is still a long way to go because there is still other agreements to be put in place once there is a proposal".

He added that local garages were ready and equipped to carry out the work, which meant Guernsey would not need a purpose-built test centre to carry out the checks.