No need to stick to six-weekly inspection periods, says VOSA

Operators need not stick to six-weekly inspection periods if they can prove to their TC that they can operate safely for longer periods - up to 13 weeks, in fact.

In a Q&A session published next week in Motor Transport, VOSA customer director Kevin Rooney says the majority of operators are confused about inspections: "[The six-weekly inspection cycle] is intended for new operators with no experience or knowledge of the performance of their fleet - and yet that's what everybody seems to stick to forever. And we don't want you to!

"We want you to decide what suits your fleet - and the maintenance of it - best. Safety remains the priority.

"If you can show that you can run to 13-weekly inspections with no serious defects, and any defects [that do arise] are minor and rectified, [we don't have a problem]."

He advises that operators should write to their TCs, providing evidence to justify an extension between inspections.

In the same Q&A session, Rooney also reveals that, within certain limitations, VOSA can supply information on the performance of third-party maintenance providers to the operators that use them.

This information could help operators to better manage the service level provided by their maintenance provider.

• See Motor Transport, published on 20 August, for the full story.