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Guernsey’s own version of MOTs will come into effect by April 2024, as was confirmed by the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure in yesterday’s States’ debate (13 July).
Guernsey joined the International Convention of Road Traffic last year, and Bailiwick vehicles and trailers are now required to abide by new regulations. It was initially anticipated that a vehicle inspection testing system would be in place next year.
Deputy John Gollop questioned whether a delay in the testing and implementation of such a system had resulted in the island being non-compliant with the terms of the Vienna Convention.
Pictured: Deputy Neil Inder said "there are thousands and thousands" of local vehicles which will never be taken to Europe.
Committee President, Deputy Lindsay De Sausmarez confirmed that Guernsey is fully compliant with the Convention.
“Under the initial proposals for the phased introduction of the periodic technical inspection, it was planned to have testing in place by April 2023,” said Deputy De Sausmarez.
“The covid outbreaks in March 2021 and again in January 2021 impacted the prioritsation and subsequent timelines for this project. The Committee anticipates being in a position to seek final bids for a preferred inspection model before the end of 2022.
“We are compliant with the Vienna Convention, even while not all aspects have been fully introduced, as long as we demonstrate that we are progressing towards full implementation in a reasonably timely manner.”
Deputy De Sausmarez said she as “confident” that the new timeframe of April 2024 would be met.
“The factors that were identified were of course what, I think, can be categoirsed as ‘force majeure’. I am confident that deadline can be met under the circumstances we can reasonably foresee at the moment,” she said.
Pictured: Deputy De Sausmarez said that local garages already offer "health checks" for vehicles being taken off-island.
Deputy De Sausmarez continued: “The officers involved are working very closely with procurement and to everyone’s credit, industry, procurement and industry, this is something new for Guernsey and everyone is trying to find the best possible ways of bringing that forward.
“We are trying to find a pragmatic way through. Everyone is working cooperatively on that and industry’s views are being taken on board in that process.”
Deputy Gollop queried whether islanders taking vehicles to Europe may be subject to fines of penalties before an inspection process is established.
“The Vienna Convention does not prescribe time frames for the introduction of inspections. Nor is it a requirement for Guernsey registered vehicles to provide evidence of road worthiness such as a certificate issued following an inspection when driving abroad,” said Deputy De Sausmarez.
“However, it is a requirement of domestic and European legislation that motor vehicles are maintained in roadworthy condition, irrespective of whether an inspection process in place.
“Failure to do so could lead to vehicles being impounded or fines being issued in contravention of vehicle safety regulations in the country in which you are driving.”
Pictured: John Gollop questioned whether islanders may face penalties in Europe if there is further delay in the introduction of a inspection process.
Deputy De Sausmarez said that vehicles most likely to be “pulled over for closer scrutiny” in Europe are those which “appear to be in a particularly roadworthy condition”.
“I think there are some practical steps that anyone driving on the continent can take, such as taking along the book containing maintenance records and such,” she said.
“The bottom line is, for everyone’s benefit, not least those inside the vehicle being taken to the continent, it is sensible to make sure the vehicle is in a road worthy condition, then there shouldn’t be a problem.”
Deputy De Sausmarez said that the requirements for certain construction standards to be met and for motor vehicles to be in a roadworthy condition was “fundamental” for both domestic and international vehicle use.
“Our local garages already provide a health check service. I personally, and I am sure the Committee, would recommend that people undertake that process with local garages before taking their vehicles to the continent,” she said.
Pictured: Committee for Environment & Infrastructure, Deputy De Sausmarez, said that the Committee was following the States' resolution.
Deputy Neil Inder raised a concern about the necessity for all Bailiwick vehicles to comply with the inspection process.
“There are thousands and thousands of local cars that will never touch Europe,” he said.
“Is it not reasonable to look for a practical and pragmatic response, under the guise of the Vienna Convention, to negate those thousands and thousands of local cars that will never need to comply with the convention?”
Deputy De Sausmarez reiterated that the current domestic and European legislation requires all vehicles to be roadworthy.
“We (the Committee) are acting under the instruction of the Assembly. There was a resolution of the States, which agreed to sign up to the Vienna Convention," she said.
“I have to point out that the Convention goes an awful lot wider than this one narrow issue. We are under a States’ resolution and we are carrying that out.”
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