At present, there is no compulsory test regime for private cars, other than for those which are more than 3 years old when first imported to the island. This is in marked contrast to the MoT testing regime in the UK, where vehicles are tested every year after their third year, and in the majority of Europe, where tests are typically carried out after four years, and every two years thereafter.

The Director of Highways, Richard Pearson, has stated that the cost of accidents on the island is between £28m and £40m per annum, with the “human cost” taking this even higher. It is thought that a one off test every 10 years, perhaps, could make significant differences to the number of accidents.

Interim results

Whilst the full results of the consultation haven’t yet been published, interim releases to the press indicate that around 5,000 islanders have responded to the exercise, the vast majority doing so online. The Department of Infrastructure indicate that they will now proceed to examining the responses, and will announce their findings in due course.

Petitioners

Outwith the bounds of the consultation, some residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals. Tony East, the secretary of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, has accused the proposals of being a money-making exercise, whilst acknowledging that the island is ‘facing issues’ in this regard. Mr East has handed a petition against the proposal of over 1,000 signatures, apparently gathered from vintage vehicle owners such as himself, to the Manx government.

Final Results

We’ll present a further update once the Department of Infrastructure has released the full results of the consultation.

More than 600 responses have been received by the Department of Infrastructure since the survey’s launch, early in December 2012.

Compulsory vehicle testing reduces accident rates

The Director of Highways for the island, Richard Pearson, pointed to international studies which show that compulsory vehicle testing and maintenance reduces accident rates, adding that the human cost of car accidents on the Isle of Man far outweighs the physical cost, estimated at an annual total of between 28 and 40 million pounds.

No recurring compulsory testing today

At present, the island has no system in place for compulsory testing, apart from initial tests carried out when cars are brought onto the island from the UK or elsewhere. The Department of Infrastructure examines vehicles which have been in fatal road traffic accidents, and has concluded that 10% of these appear to have contributory mechanical factors.

Roadside checks currently carried out

Roadside checks are also carried out in co-operation with the Isle of Man Constabulary, and whilst issues such as faulty lights and worn tyres are easily found, there are concerns about defects which might not be apparent at a roadside inspection.

MoT test in the UK

In the UK, new vehicles must be tested after three years on the road, and on an annual basis thereafter; in Europe, the initial period is four years, again with annual testing to follow. MoT testing was introduced to the UK in 1960, initially for vehicles that were 10 years old or more, but this was reduced progressively to the current three year initial period in April 1967.

MoT test stands for Ministry of Transport test, in the United Kingdom and relates to a defunct Government department which was one of several ancestors of the current Department for Transport.

The initial scope was confined to simple lights, brakes and steering tests, but the list of checkable items has steadily expanded over the years, with many revisions coming about as a result of European Union directives covering their member states.

The consultation runs until 1 February 2013.