Society endorses vehicle servicing bill

The Society of Operations Engineers has welcomed the reading of a bill in Parliament calling for regulation of the UK vehicle servicing industry.

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), whose IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) Professional Sector runs the IRTEC Licensing Scheme for mechanics and technicians, has welcomed the reading of a bill in Parliament (17th November 2004) calling for regulation of the vehicle servicing industry.

The bill, presented by Labour's Chris Ruane, calls for formal regulation of the garage servicing industry through regulation and licensing.

"Although Ruane's bill specifically addresses the car industry, we see any move to improve standards and confidence in the vehicle industry as a positive step", says Tracey Shelley, Chief Executive of SOE.

"We have long been calling for mandatory licensing of the commercial vehicle industry; however, we have viewed it as a long-term goal".

"I am delighted that other sectors of the road transport industry are now recognising the importance of licensing and are joining us in calling for action", she continues.

IRTE piloted the IRTEC Licensing Scheme in January 2002 in response to calls for action from the commercial vehicle industry.

IRTEC tests the scope of a mechanic's knowledge through both practical and theoretical tests and ensures that candidates are up-to-date and adhere to safe working procedures.

IRTEC operates in the heavy vehicle (above 7.5t), light vehicle (under 7.5t), hybrid (both light and heavy goods vehicles) and the bus and coach sectors.

The scheme is currently voluntary, and licences are renewable after a maximum of 5 years.

"With licensing as a voluntary initiative, the road transport industry's commendable desire for safe, competent mechanics to work on its vehicles is all too easily put to one side in a bid to manage costs".

"However, the interest in licensing for the car industry may well lead to us to bringing forward the timescale for the likely introduction of mandatory licensing in the commercial vehicle sector", she continues.

"Consumer interest automatically focuses on the lighter end of the vehicle industry as the car industry is the most likely to hit the public's pocket", continues Shelley.

"With commercial vehicles, however, public interest should centre on safety issues as these vehicles have the capacity to become extremely dangerous to the public on the road if not properly maintained, particularly in the passenger-carrying industry", she cautions.

"With Health and Safety Executive figures estimating that mechanical defects are a factor in 7.5% of crashes involving 'at work' vehicles, and 42.5% of trucks failing their annual inspection on the first attempt; perhaps we ought to consider just how seriously we value safety?", she concludes.

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