Due to the unfolding coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, heavy vehicles will be exempt from dangerous goods (ADR) annual inspections until further notice, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed.

The Department for Transport has issued an authorisation which allows those heavy vehicle operators who carry dangerous goods to continue doing so.

This decision has been taken because staff are not able to conduct regular roadworthiness tests and vehicle inspections while the country deals with the COVID-19 outbreak.

What you need to do

If your vehicle is due for its ADR annual inspection and you are continuing to use it, you need to download and complete a declaration of compliance.

You must return the completed document to by email for each vehicle before the inspection expires.

The declaration allows the DDSA to issue a waiver from the technical inspection.

To ensure your journeys are covered by the waiver, you must carry a copy of the following documents in the vehicle:

• confirmation email

• Authorisation 945 issued by the Department for Transport

It is important that you continue to comply with the ADR requirements while the exemption is in force.

You must make sure:

• all required equipment and equipment for personal protection is carried on the vehicle and available to use

• the vehicle has the correct number and size of serviceable fire extinguishers – these should be easily accessible

• the driver carries the right documentation, including instructions in writing, transport documents and drivers’ training certificate

• all the required vehicle documents are in the vehicle

When the waiver process does not apply

You cannot get a waiver for:

• a new non-type approved dangerous goods vehicle being put into service for the first time

• a vehicle where the details on the ADR1C document have changed – for example, a change of owner or the products it’s allowed to carry

• a dangerous goods vehicle which is not covered by The Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988 – for example, a vehicle or trailer (including the maximum load it can carry safely when it’s being used on the road) that’s less than 3.5 tonnes (this is sometimes called the ‘gross vehicle weight’)

Details of what you need to do can be found on this guidance page.

Driver & Vehicle Standards AgencyDVSA

About the Author: John Loughran