The DVSA have recently updated their MOT computer software ready for the roll out of the new procedures in May. I had the job of presenting a vehicle 1st used before 1 January 1968 yesterday. As many will know such vehicles only require to meet a service brake efficiency of 45% of the gross weight (2 axles). Yesterday’s vehicle achieved 48%. The DVSA test standard in another section of the software program clearly states 45% pre 1968. When it came to entering the actual figures the software insisted on issuing a fail. The software recognised the date of 1st use as a date in 1966 but absolutely refused to recognise its own requirements. In the end there was no alternative within a reasonable amount of time but to do the brake test again until the readings totalled 51%
The best bit was that the DVSA software invites the tester to submit feedback about the new procedures… they got some.
If presenting a bus then it would help if a recent weighbridge certificate for the unladen vehicle is available since the recorded weights form the RBT machines cannot be relied upon even though they are supposed to be within a 2% tolerance. This was a new installation with full certificates.
If presenting a bus then it would help if a recent weighbridge certificate for the unladen vehicle is available since the recorded weights form the RBT machines cannot be relied upon even though they are supposed to be within a 2% tolerance. This was a new installation with full certificates.
Do Busses not use a calculated weight, with 63.5 kilo per passenger + the empty weight?
And if it’s a coach is it an extra 10kilo per passenger for luggage?
Most modern buses and coaches have a manufacturer’s plate these days which lists the GVW. It will be tested against the design GVW. Vehicles 1st used between 1/1/1968 and 1/4/82 use the calculated passenger weight which should be 65 kg - at least it was last year - but the latest draft manual is still listing 63.5kg. Pre 1/1/1968 remains 63.5kg. There is no Front Wheel Allowance for buses. There is a ridiculous contrast between Class V (private buses) and PSV. It is assumed that private buses do not regularly carry a full load of passengers, yet they are always tested on the (assumed) gross weight. PSV on the other hand, which do carry passengers all the time are tested against the unladen weight if more than half the wheels of the system lock.
The luggage figure is used for working out the seating capacity in relation to GVW when the vehicle is 1st registered. A bus or coach still has to remain within the GVW for the class of vehicle: ie however many axles. However a three axle Bendy bus is allowed to gross 28T. In addition to not exceeding the GVW, the maximum declared seating/standing capacity must not be exceeded by adults.
Test is done with reference to the vehicle’s DTP no or type approval details. These then relate back to recorded brake codes which should have details about how the secondary brake system is configured and which axles are used for parking (this is often missing in the RBT software.) As below PSV are tested against either the unladen or laden weight according to the number of locks ecah system obtains.
