DVSA roadside checks of UK lorries to include emissions checks
The UK’s Department for Transport has announced that, from August, roadside checks of lorries carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will include an emissions check. In a statement published on Sunday (25 June), the DfT said: “DVSA’s enforcement staff, and their European counterparts have found evidence that drivers and operators use emissions cheat devices to cut the cost of operating. These include:
- using devices designed to stop emissions control systems from working
- removing the diesel particulate filter or trap
- using cheap, fake emission reduction devices or diesel exhaust fluid
- using illegal engine modifications which result in excessive emissions
- removing or bypassing the exhaust gas recirculation valve.”
The DfT added: “DVSA enforcement officers will give the driver and operator 10 days to fix the emissions system if they find a vehicle with tampered emissions readings.
“If the emissions system isn’t fixed within 10 days, DVSA will issue a fine and stop the vehicle being used on the road.
“DVSA enforcement staff can insist that a vehicle is taken off the road immediately if they find a driver or operator is repeatedly offending.”