Rules on testing of veteran trucks opposed

The Irish Vintage Veteran Trucks Association has asked Government to restore its exemption from road worthiness testing.

The association which represents the owners of heritage goods vehicles this morning told TDs and Senators it had been separated from other vintage vehicles including cars, motor caravans and tractors, by recent changes to regulations.

Spokesman for the veteran and vintage trucks association Alan Doyle told the Oireachtas Transport Committee the Department of Transport had varied a statutory instrument last year, because of concern that veteran vintage trucks had a commercial potential and could be used for road haulage.

The result was to require veteran trucks to undertake a roadworthiness test.

Peadar Ward of the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club said it supported the truck owners in their campaign for equal treatment.

He said on an EU level vintage vehicles were generally treated the same.

Fianna Fáil transport spokesman Timmy Dooley said the exclusion of trucks made little sense, particularly as tractors and motor caravans were still exempt from road testing.

He said such vehicles were not used commercially but were used for pleasure and heritage purposes, at festivals and parades across the country. He said the displays feed into education and economically the displays and rallies fed into the local economy.

“Many are taken to shows on low-loaders so it is not as it they are driven on the road at all”, he said.

Mr Doyle said some insurance companies had provided for health and safety purposes by requiring an engineer’s report, and this was a form of certification that was acceptable.

Tom Flemming TD said such vehicles would be a familiar sight at St Patrick’s Day parades and their absence would be a tremendous loss.

The committee unanimously agreed a proposal from Mr Dooley to take the issue up with the department.