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Questions will be asked on the stalled progress of introducing MOT-style tests in the States this week.
Deputy John Gollop will ask formal parliamentary questions of the Environment & Infrastructure President on Wednesday, asking if the committee is on track to finalise a procurement process with the local motor industry to carry out the tests before the end of this political term in 2025.
Deputy Gollop also wants clarification on when the testing will be required, and if it will be the same as Jersey’s proposed implementation date of March 2028.
And he wants clarity on what extra work is being carried out to “minimise cost and inconvenience to Guernsey car owners especially those on comparatively limited means”.
He questioned if this approach may see a French style testing regime introduced, known as the Contrôle Technique, which tests the roadworthiness of vehicles once they are over four years old and is repeated biannually.
Pictured: The islands committed to introducing vehicle inspections in 2018.
Environment & Infrastructure had planned to introduce testing in April 2023, but the road has proved far longer.
Covid was blamed for the delays, with resources and other priorities for Traffic & Highways cited as the reason for a jam when the scheme was further delayed past a reset deadline of April 2024.
E&I have since confirmed conversations have concluded with the motor industry and reports are being finalised ahead of a consultation period with businesses where options will be considered.
Guernsey and Jersey pledged to introduce the checks as part of post-Brexit work to ensure that local vehicles could continue to drive in Europe after the Vienna Convention was extended to the islands in 2018.
Jersey now plans to introduce compulsory testing by 31 March 2028.
As of now it's unclear when Guernsey aims to have it in place, but it's understood any checks could be carried out at existing garages.
Pictured (top): Deputy John Gollop.
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