The minimum standards of roadworthiness have been published by Driver and Vehicle Standards, which will begin inspecting vehicles from 1 April.
It is part of Jersey’s commitment to the 1968 Vienna Convention, which was signed in order to enable Islanders to continue to drive unimpeded in Europe after Brexit.
Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis said: ‘Vehicles in Jersey have always been expected to be roadworthy, but under the Vienna Convention we have to demonstrate that we are ensuring that they actually are. The standards against which DVS will assess mopeds and minibuses have now been published to give the motor trade industry and owners time to prepare.’
Staff from DVS will soon be contacting the registered owners of motorbikes up to 125cc, mopeds and minibuses with ten seats or more.
All owners will be contacted at least two months before their inspection deadline.
Gordon Forrest, Inspector of Motor Traffic, said: ‘We advise that all vehicles due an inspection are serviced by a qualified mechanic beforehand. This will avoid any minor faults such as lightbulbs and windscreen wipers to be picked up on during our inspection, which might otherwise lead to a failed vehicle. We expect inspections to last between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the vehicle type.’
The cost of the test for mopeds and motorbikes will be £30, while minibus owners will be charged £90.
Vehicles which meet the DVS inspection standards will be issued a Certificate of Satisfaction. If the vehicle fails the inspection, a notice will indicate the level of failure and the owner will be expected to take action to bring it up to standard and have it re-inspected.
