Emissions cheat devices to be included in roadside checks of lorries
From August 2017, roadside checks of lorries carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will include emissions cheat devices.
DVSA will be targeting lorry drivers and operators who try to cheat vehicle emissions. The new checks will target those who break the law and will help to improve air quality.
In May 2017, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published a draft plan to improve air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in the UK.
This included looking at ways to reduce emissions produced by vehicles, including those used commercially. A final plan will be published by 31 July.
Fraudulent emissions systems
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
Taking action against emission cheats
DVSA enforcement officers will give the driver and operator 10 days to fix the emissions system if they find it’s been tampered with.
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.
Working with the EU
DVSA will investigate all Great Britain operators cheating emissions and pass the findings to the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, who have the power to remove operator licences.
DVSA will also continue to work with our counterpart agencies across Europe, and further afield, to make sure that all offences committed by non-Great Britain hauliers are dealt with locally.
Protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said:
DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles. We are committed to taking dangerous vehicles off Britain’s roads and this new initiative to target emissions fraud is a key part of that.
Anyone who flouts the law is putting other road users, and the quality of our air, at risk. We won’t hesitate to take these drivers, operators and vehicles off our roads.
Transport Minister, Jesse Norman said:
I welcome this crackdown on rogue hauliers who cheat the system by installing bogus devices which lead to increased pollution.
There has rightly been a huge public outcry against car manufacturers that have been cheating emissions standards, and the same rule should apply here too.
We all need clean air in which to live and work. That’s why the government has committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to support greener transport.