Hauliers urged to check truck details for LEZ smoke tests
Date: 11 September 2007
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The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has urged freight haulage operators to ensure the engine details of truck cabs are correct when taking vehicles in for London low emission zone (LEZ) smoke tests.
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has said it will not be issuing low emission certificates (LECs) based on figures from documents, but will be tipping the cabs to check the details on the actual engine plate.
Steve Biddle, head of technical services at the RHA, said: "VOSA have confirmed that they will carry out a physical engine detail check before issuing an LEC, and hauliers should be aware of this before presenting a vehicle.
"Checking for the vehicle number before setting out could save operators time and money."
VOSA began its smoke tests for LEC certificates earlier this month. They are needed for Euro I and Euro II trucks that meet other emissions standards for the LEZ zone, but do not have a Department for Transport reduced pollution certificate.
Trucks must meet the particulate matter level specified in Euro III regulations. At least 30,000 Euro I and Euro II trucks meet this standard, but they must undergo smoke tests to prove they are in good condition.
The LEZ zone comes into effect for freight haulage vehicles exceeding 12 tonnes on February 4th next year.
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User Comments
The use of Bio-diesel will reduce the smoke and soot considerably if not totally. Best regards, Martin Brook.078311 11247
Posted By: Martin Brook on 15/09/2007 19:38:34
i tried to get my 1995 volvo fl6 tested for lez running on bio but was told it did not matter how clean it was it could be the cleanest lorry in the world but it would not be allowed in because it was not on the approved list regards dave carpenter
Posted By: dave carpenter on 07/01/2008 22:10:55