Specialist tests for coaches and buses

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1. Overview

You must get your commercial vehicle tested every year to make sure it鈥檚 roadworthy. This is known as the annual test.

There are extra tests coaches and buses may need to take to:

2. Reduced emissions test

You can get your vehicle tested for a Low Emissions Certificate (LEC). This lets you drive in the (LEZ) without paying.

The Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) scheme to reduce your vehicle tax ended on 31 December 2016.

Eligibility

Your vehicle can be tested for a Low Emissions Certificate if it:

  • was registered in the UK before 1 October 2006
  • is fitted with a full filter to

You don鈥檛 need a Low Emission Certificate for a vehicle with a Euro 4, 5 or 6 engine.

Converted and re-engined vehicles

Contact DVLA if the vehicle has either:

  • been fitted or converted to run solely on petrol
  • had an approved gas conversion

Contact Transport for London (TfL) if your vehicle has been 鈥榬e-engined鈥� to meet Low Emission Zone standards.

TfL Low Emission Zone
[email protected] or
Telephone: 0343 222 1111
International: +44 (0)343 222 1111
Monday to Friday, 8am to 10pm
Saturday, 9am to 3pm
Find out about call charges

Book a Low Emissions Certificate test

Contact an authorised testing facility or Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) test station to book the test.

You need:

  • your vehicle registration number
  • your vehicle identification or chassis number
  • the make, model and date of manufacture
  • details of any modifications made to meet the emissions standard
  • to pay the fee

It鈥檚 cheaper to have the test done at the same time as the vehicle鈥檚 annual test.

What to take to the test

If it鈥檚 been tested before you must take the vehicle鈥檚 previous Low Emissions Certificate or Reduced Pollution Certificate.

The test can be cancelled and you鈥檒l have to pay again if you don鈥檛 take the certificate.

What happens at the test

The test is in 2 parts:

  • physical inspection to check any modifications, such as a filter fitted to the exhaust
  • smoke opacity test to check emissions

Test result

You鈥檒l get a Low Emissions Certificate if your vehicle passes the test.

DVSA will pass your details to TfL automatically. It takes around 3 days for your details to be updated so you can drive in the Low Emission Zone.

If your vehicle is registered outside Great Britain, you need to yourself. You can be fined up to 拢1,000 if you don鈥檛 register it.

If your vehicle fails

You can appeal the result. Fill in form LEC3 and send it to DVSA. The address is on the form.

Renewing a Low Emissions Certificate

The Low Emissions Certificate has an expiry date on it. You need to get your vehicle tested again by this date if you want to continue driving in the Low Emission Zone without paying.

You can be fined up to 拢1,000 for driving in the Low Emission Zone without a valid Low Emissions Certificate.

3. Seat belt installation tests

Manufacturers of some buses, coaches and minibuses must make sure their seat belts meet certain safety rules.

Vehicles that need to be tested

If your vehicle has additional seat belts fitted beyond those required by law, it must be tested if:

  • it鈥檚 a private passenger vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats and was first used on or after 1 October 2001
  • it鈥檚 a public service vehicle

Exemptions

Private passenger vehicles registered before 1 October 2001 are exempt.

Buses made to carry standing passengers are also exempt, but if they have seat belts these must be tested.

Public service vehicles that need a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) have their seat belts checked as part of this process.

Arrange a test

You can get your passenger vehicle鈥檚 seat belt installation tested at one of the following centres:

Manufacturers can test their own seat belts as long as they have the right equipment and staff.

Testing seat belts is usually part of obtaining a COIF on new vehicles.

You can get more advice about testing your passenger vehicle鈥檚 seat belts from DVSA.

顿痴厂础听
[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 123 9000 聽
Find out about call charges