Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

PART IV APPROVAL OF A VEHICLE AS A TYPE VEHICLE

Introductory

9.  This Part has effect with respect to the approval by the Department under section 42(1) of the Act of a particular regulated public service vehicle as satisfying the provisions of these Regulations, and in this Part and in Part V and Schedules 5 and 6 a vehicle which has been so approved is referred to as a “type vehicle” and an approval so given (which may be in such form as the Department may determine) is referred to as a “type vehicle approval”.

Applications for type vehicle approval

10.—(1) Every application for the approval of a vehicle as a type vehicle shall be made to the Department in writing.

(2) Where the applicant represents that the vehicle in respect of which the application is made–

(a) conforms substantially to a vehicle already approved as a type vehicle; or

(b) has a chassis which conforms to the chassis of a vehicle which has already been approved as a type vehicle; or

(c) has a body which conforms to the body of a vehicle which has already been approved as a type vehicle,

the application may, with the approval of the Department, be made by way of reference to such type vehicle.

(3) Where the applicant represents that the vehicle in respect of which the application is made has a chassis and a body which have formed parts of different vehicles which have already been approved as type vehicles, the application may, with the approval of the Department, be made by way of reference to such type vehicles.

(4) Every application mentioned in paragraphs (1) to (3) shall be accompanied by two sets of such working drawings and such detailed specifications and calculations as the Department may require, and the applicant shall, in respect of every such application, give the Department the facility to inspect and test the vehicle.

Copies of drawings and specifications

11.  On being given a type vehicle approval, the person who applied for it shall supply to the Department such number of copies of the relevant working drawings, specifications and calculations as the Department may require.

Fees for approval as a type vehicle

12.—(1) The prescribed fees for the approval of a vehicle as a type vehicle are as follows.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), for an application made on the basis of a representation under each of sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of regulation 10(2), the prescribed fee–

(a) where the vehicle is required to comply with only one of Schedules 1, 2 or 3, is £160·00; or

(b) where a regulated public service vehicle is required to comply with either Schedules 1 and 2, or Schedules 1 and 3, is £320·00.

(3) This paragraph applies where–

(a) an approval is given pursuant to an application made on the basis of a representation only under sub-paragraph (a) of regulation 10(2); and

(b) the Department is satisfied that the vehicle in respect of which the application is made conforms (except in unimportant details) to a vehicle already approved as a type vehicle; and

(c) no inspection of the vehicle is made.

(4) Where paragraph (3) applies, the prescribed fee–

(a) where the vehicle is required to comply with only one of Schedules 1, 2 or 3, is £15·00; or

(b) where the vehicle is required to comply with either Schedules 1 and 2, or Schedules 1 and 3, is £30·00.

(5) For an approval given pursuant to an application under regulation 10(3), the prescribed fee–

(a) where the vehicle is required to comply with only one of Schedules 1, 2 or 3, is £79·00; or

(b) where the vehicle is required to comply with either Schedules 1 and 2, or Schedules 1 and 3, is £ 158·00.

(6) In any other case, the prescribed fee–

(a) where the vehicle is required to comply with only one of Schedules 1, 2 or 3, is £350·00; or

(b) where the vehicle is required to comply with either Schedules 1 and 2, or Schedules 1 and 3, is £690·00.

(7) Where approval is refused, the Department may retain such portion of any fee as it considers appropriate for the work it has carried out inspecting the vehicle concerned.