Ask the MAC – 07 May 2026

May 7, 2026

3 min read

With Andy Kelly, Manager – Compliance Information.

Above the law?

Q. We run a fleet of vans up to 3.5t and it has come to our attention we have not been receiving any pre-delivery inspection (PDI)/first use inspection documents for our new vehicles. I understand that for HGVs this is a legal requirement, but what are the requirements for vans?

A. Information regarding maintenance of light goods vehicles is detailed in section 2 of DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.

Harry feels that his career journey has helped him evolve as a professional and to embrace the responsibility that has come his way: “I feel quite privileged to be trusted to do the job I do and get a kick out of seeing the cost and efficiency savings that my work has contributed to.”

If you are not receiving any PDI documents from the vehicle manufacture/dealer, as the operator you have no way of determining if the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. Even brand-new vehicles can have faults on them that could impact road safety.

Therefore, it is our opinion that any vehicle should not be used on the road until a first use inspection has been carried out and you have all the correct documents that should be kept in the vehicle file.

Let’s off-road…

Q. We have an 18t vehicle that has been off the road undergoing long term body repairs. It is now finished; however, the annual test has expired while the vehicle was being repaired. Can we take it to the maintenance provider who will prepare it and then take it for test? The distance is about 20 miles which would be on the public highway.

A. Under legislation, the only time a vehicle with an expired test certificate can be driven on the public highway is to a pre-booked test appointment (it must still be in a roadworthy condition). If you need to take it to a maintenance provider, then it will have to be recovered to the provider.

As the vehicle is 18t and comes under testing and plating regulations, another option could be that it is driven on trade plates, if you fall within the permitted use categories, as there is a provision which exempts a vehicle from the testing and plating regulations while being driven on trade plates. The regulations regarding the use of trade plates must be fully complied with if this provision is used.