The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Commercial vehicles are tested every year to make sure they’re roadworthy and comply with any relevant regulations. This is known as the annual test.

In addition to the annual test, there are extra tests coaches and buses may need to take to:

• qualify for a lower rate of vehicle tax (commonly known as road tax) by getting a Reduced Pollution Certificate
• qualify for free entrance to the London low emission zone by getting a Reduced Pollution Certificate or Low Emission Certificate
• meet new seat belt safety rules

You'll need to get a Pre Registration Inspection (PRI) to register a passenger vehicle for private use that doesn't need approval and has more than 8 passenger seats.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

If you modify a bus or coach to cut its emissions, you can get it tested by DVSA for a Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC). The certificate reduces the cost of the vehicle excise duty (commonly known as road tax).

Some RPCs also mean you can drive the vehicle in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) without charge. The LEZ covers most of Greater London and heavy diesel vehicles are charged to enter the area.

Some vehicles that don't qualify for an RPC can still get a Low Emissions Certificate (LEC) – this means they can be driven in the LEZ without charge, but their road tax will stay the same.

You can have the tests done as part of your annual test, or separately. It's cheaper as part of the annual test.

Eligibility for the RPC test

To get an RPC, a bus or coach must either:

• meet enhanced environmental standards, approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency
• be fitted with an engine of a higher environmental standard
• be converted to run on gas

Any bus or coach that was registered in the UK before October 2009 can take the RPC test.

Some vehicles that aren't eligible for an RPC can still get an LEC. Your bus or coach qualifies if it was registered in Great Britain before 1 October 2006 and has been fitted with a full flow particulate filter approved by Transport for London (TfL).

What happens at the test

The tests for both the RPC and the LEC are in 2 parts. There is a physical inspection to check any modifications, like a filter fitted to the exhaust, and then a 'smoke opacity test' to check emissions.

You must bring your previous RPC or LEC certificate - the examiner can refuse to test the vehicle without it.

DVSA will issue you with either an RPC or an LEC if the vehicle passes both parts of one of the tests. If your vehicle is registered in Great Britain, these details are then automatically passed to TfL by DVSA so you can use the vehicle in the Low Emission Zone.

You need to register your certificate with TfL yourself if your vehicle is registered outside Great Britain.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

To book your test, call the DVSA helpline. You will need to tell them:

• your vehicle's registration number
• your vehicle's identification number or chassis number
• the make, model and date of the vehicle's manufacture
• details of any modifications made to meet the reduced pollution standard
• where you'd like to take the test and when

Find a DVSA test station.

DVSA helpline
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Find out about call charges

Fees

The fees for Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) and Lower Emissions Certificate (LEC) tests at an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) or Designated Premises (DP) are:

ATFs and DPs are garages or other facilities authorised by DVSA to carry out vehicle tests.

'Out of hours' means outside the testing station's regular hours - these vary from station to station. When you book your test with the DVSA helpline you can find out what those hours are.

Fees may be different in Northern Ireland.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Complete form RPC/LEC3 to appeal against a RPC or LEC test decision and send it to the following address:

Testing and Support Services
DVSA
Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea
SA1 8AN

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You need to get a PRI to register any passenger vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats, unless it already has approval.

Exemptions

Some vehicles don't need a PRI to be registered, as long as they’ve already got one of the following:

• European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA)
• National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA)
• Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
• a Certificate Of Initial Fitness (COIF)
• Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Type Certification

Vehicles made more than 25 years ago are exempt from PRIs, but you'll need to prove how old your vehicle is to register it.

How to arrange a PRI

Complete an application for a PRI and send this to DVSA along with any supporting documents.

Approvals Section
DVSA
Ellipse
Padley Road
Swansea
SA1 8AN

What happens next?

The inspection will be carried out at one of the DVSA testing stations listed on the PRI application form. You can choose your preferred location, but sometimes an alternative testing station has to be used.

There's no fee for a PRI.

More information

Read the VOSA guidance on PRI.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have merged to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Manufacturers of some buses, coaches and minibuses must make sure their seat belts meet new 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’s a private passenger vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats and was first used on or after 1 October 2001
• it’s a public service vehicle

Exemptions

Private passenger vehicles registered before 1 October 2001.

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's seat belt installation tested at one of the following centres:

• Status
• Millbrook proving ground
• Transport research laboratory

As long as they’ve the right equipment and staff to do this, manufacturers can test their own seat belts.

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

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

DVSA
enquiries@vosa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Find out about call charges