What is the Commercial Vehicle Test?
The Commercial Vehicle Test (CVT) is a roadworthiness test for all goods vehicles, buses with more than eight passenger seats and ambulances, all over one year old. The purpose of the test is to ensure that these vehicles are in good condition throughout its entire life.
All commercial vehicles must be tested when they are over one year old and annually after that.
There are two types of commercial vehicle tests, one for Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and one for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
The LGV test is for:
- all small goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,500 kg or less
The HGV test covers all other commercial vehicles including:
- goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVW
- goods trailers over 3,500 kg GVW
- buses with more than eight passenger seats
- ambulances
What test examines
The CVT test includes:
- Brakes
- Lights and markings
- Wheels and tyres
- Steering and suspension
- Chassis and underbody
- Tachograph
- Speed limiter
- Exhaust emissions
- Electrical systems
- Glass and mirrors
Benefits of maintenance
- Safer, more reliable vehicles
- Avoidance of penalty points, fines and possible imprisonment
Fees
The cost of the Commercial vehicle test varies according to vehicle size.
See Commercial Vehicle testing fees.
Re-tests
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.
A visual re-test is free, but a retest that requires a test lane has a fee that is half of the normal test fee. You should repair vehicle fail items immediately and present the vehicle for re-test as soon as possible.