Vehicle testing
Headlamp aim
Headlamp aim is the most common reason for annual test failure on heavy goods vehicles (hgvs) and passenger carrying vehicles (pcvs). The fail rate is around 20 per cent. Consequently, this is a major issue for operators as they either have to repair minor faults whilst still at the test site and ‘pass after rectification at station’ or return on a separate occasion for re-test. Repairs and re-tests do however put the operator’s compliance record with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) at risk, and counts towards an operator’s OCRS (Operator Compliance Risk Score).
VOSA has undertaken work to discover the underlying causes of the high failure rate for headlamp aim during the past 18 months and to develop a solution. In autumn 2007, VOSA submitted a plan to the Department for Transport (DfT) which it believes will resolve the current problem, in particular looking at
- a move to electronic testing
- widening of headlamp aim tolerances
DfT has already agreed to VOSA’s proposals in principle, subject to an independent risk assessment by Loughborough University of the safety implications of widening headlamp aim tolerances. The safety assessment has now been submitted to DfT.
DfT and VOSA were due to meet in March 2008 to discuss the plan and the findings of the Loughborough report. If the plan is accepted, VOSA intends to implement any changes by the end of this year.