Type Approval - an overview

ECWVTA (European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval) regulations will be introduced for different vehicle types progressively from April 2009.

Type Approval for cars (passenger vehicle up to eight seats) have been in force for many years, and although it is a legal requirement for any car to be approved (Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended) this has not been policed. Accordingly there are hundreds (probably thousands) of small passenger carrying vehicles that have not been constructed in accordance with the regulations.

With the new regulations, all vehicle types (and trailers) will require approval and compliance with the new regulations will be policed to a greater degree.

There have been construction regulations in place for minibuses for many years, with the earlier 1977 Minibus Act being succeeded by the 1986 Construction and Use Regulation. Despite the existence of these requirements, the enforcement of compliance has been woefully patchy, with less than 50% of all minibuses being checked to these particular standards on an annual basis.

There will be loopholes which allow the unscrupulous supplier to avoid compliance, and the owner of any non-compliant vehicle will probably not find out until the vehicle is first presented for an MOT test.

In brief, with regard to minibuses, there are multi-factorial requirements to be adhered to. Generally speaking, to achieve the same passenger capacity in the future, will require a larger and more expensive vehicle. This applies to a greater extent when carrying wheelchairs in a minibus. Your new vehicle will be dearer, but probably safer.

Application of these regulations is a complex matter, and is bound to affect specifications by virtue of the reduced choices available. Minibus Options specialise in this detail, and will always find the best way forward to meet your needs and available budget. Should you wish to purchase a vehicle to meet these latest standards then they are available now to special order.