How to continue to use your vehicle
Annual goods vehicle roadworthiness tests and annual dangerous goods inspections for vehicles and trailers are suspended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
There are 2 authorisations to help operators to continue to use their vehicles:
- Authorisation 945 for vehicles which have previously been issued with an ADR1 certificate
- Authorisation 476 for new type approved vehicles
Vehicles which are unable to avail of the authorisations, for example those which transport dangerous goods internationally, may alternatively apply for a priority ADR test.
Further information can be found in the ADR Test for priority vehicles section of this page.
Authorisation 945
To continue transporting dangerous goods using your vehicle you need to make an application under DfI authorisation 945 .
This will extend the validity of your current ADR certificate for as long as your vehicle:
- is issued with a Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC)
- complies in full with all other ADR requirements, and
- has valid Tank Certificates, where applicable
You must also carry some documents in the vehicle at all times.
The extension will end when your vehicle requires its next roadworthiness inspection.
To find out when your next roadworthiness inspection is due, follow the guidance on the Coronavirus (Covid 19) and motoring page.
Eligibility
FL and AT Vehicles, including trailers, are eligible if they are registered in Northern Ireland and have an ADR1C dangerous goods certificate which expires on or after 1 March 2020. The vehicle will only be authorised for use within Northern Ireland.
Vehicles you cannot apply for
The authorisations do not apply to:
- new non-type approved dangerous goods vehicles being put into service for the first time
- vehicles where the details on the ADR1C document have changed - for example, a change of owner or the products it’s allowed to carry
What you need to do
- Check when your ADR certificate expires - you can find this on the current ADR1C certificate if you have one, or in your digital records.
- Download and fill in the Operator or Maintenance Contractor declaration form for each vehicle.
- Save the form on your computer or device.
- Email the form and your current or expired ADR1c certificate to the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) ADRBooking@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk no sooner than 10 working days before your ADR certificate expires.
One vehicle per email, with only “ADR 945” and the registration number or trailer number in the subject line.
There’s no application fee.
Rules for using Authorisation 945
You must carry these documents (either printed or digital copies) in the vehicle:
- a copy of the confirmation email from DVA
- a copy of your expired ADR certificate
- a copy of authorisation 945
- A copy of tank certificates, where applicable.
You must follow the rules when transporting dangerous goods at all times. The vehicle may only be used within Northern Ireland.
Authorisation 476
This authorisation allows new type approved vehicles and trailers of classes FL or AT to enter into service and be used on the roads of Northern Ireland without an ADR1 certificate. The first ADR inspection would then be due at the same time as the first annual roadworthiness inspection.
Eligibility
New vehicles type approved to the ADR standard are eligible. For more information see the Authorisation.
Applications must be made by the vehicle manufacturer or converter, and an identical vehicle must have already been ADR certified in Northern Ireland or Great Britain.
What you need to do
- Download and fill in the Manufacturers Declaration Form for each vehicle.
- Save the form on your computer or device.
- Email the form to the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) ADRBooking@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. One vehicle per email, with “ADR 476”, the manufacturer name and VIN or chassis number of the vehicle registration number in the subject line.
There’s no application fee.
Rules for using Authorisation 476
You must carry these documents (either printed or digital copies) in the vehicle:
- a copy of the confirmation email from DVA
- a copy of authorisation 476
ADR Test for priority vehicles
Vehicles which are unsuitable for use under either authorisation (for example, those used on international journeys or where the previous ADR certificate expired before 1 March 2020) can now apply for a priority ADR test.
Please apply for the test in good time, to ensure that your vehicle can be cleared for test before your current certificate expires. On some occasions, it can take up to 4 weeks to clear a vehicle for test.
Eligibility
The vehicle must have an expired ADR certificate, or be due its first ADR certificate, and must be unable to utilise the authorisations. This may be because it operates internationally or because it’s previous ADR expired before the 1st March 2020. Operators must provide evidence which shows that the vehicle cannot operate using the authorisations.
An ADR1c certificate cannot be issued to a vehicle which has a Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC). If this is the case, your vehicle will need an annual roadworthiness test at the same time as the ADR inspection.
DVA will contact you about this and to collect the appropriate test fee.
Please note that an ADR certificate must be accompanied by a valid roadworthiness test certificate; an ADR certificate cannot be extended with a TEC.
What you need to do
- Send an email to specialist.testingDVA@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk with “ADR Priority” and the vehicle registration number, trailer number or VIN in the subject line.
- Fill in and attach the ADR Application form. Take care to fill in the form completely and accurately as incorrect or missing information will result in delays.
- Attach any required documentation, such as tank certificates
- Fill in and attach the PT2 priority test request form
- Attach evidence showing why the vehicle cannot operate using one of the authorisations.
- If the vehicle requires a goods vehicle test certificate, complete and attach the appropriate application form.
- DVA may contact you regarding any certificates which have lapsed and for payment, where applicable.
Attending the test
DVA will send you confirmation of the test date and time by email. Operators are required to ensure that:
- Where required, a completed and signed Declaration for the cleaning/purging of vehicles is brought to the test. This should not be handed to the examiner, but may be shown through the window or left in the cab. Download the declaration
- Presenters must not have any symptoms of COVID-19. Do not attend if you feel unwell, have tested positive, or if you live with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive.
- Presenters must adhere to instructions at all times, and must not leave the cab unless asked to do so. If they are unsure of any instruction, they should sound the horn.
- Failure to meet any of the above may result in the test not being completed and you may lose your fee.