Ministry of Transport, they now stop/inspect lorry

[williamsis]

Just a word of warning, Ministry of Transport now have the legal right to stop you at the side of the road and inspect your vehicle. I got stopped last week and luckily my lorry passed with flying colours. Others weren't and they received a notice that their vehicle was no longer allowed to be used on the road unless they provided a new MOT certificate to prove it was safe.

They checked all the lights, brakes, steering etc..... and were very thorough.

[HeatherA]

Just to say this isn't new. I last got stopped three years ago, luckily box was fine. About five years ago we had inspectors turn up at our local riding club show without warning and two boxes were refused permission to go home as they were so unsafe.

I, personally, think this is a good thing as it stops so many folk driving unsafe boxes around and risking their horses lives.

[williamsis]

Well the guy who stopped me from MOT said it was a new thing only just come in recently

[hp]

No its not new. the only difference now is that they do nothave to have a police person present with them. And they are called VOSA now. Black and yellow checked cars.

[amma]

i'm glad that this is being done. there are still too many unsafe horse boxes around. i think that they should also be able to stop and test trailers, and that trailers should be inspected yearly rather like an MOT. i've heard of horrendous accidents when horses legs drop through rotten flooring whilst being transported.

[varkie]

This IS a good thing, but I do worry a bit that one day they will stop me when I have an unhandled/wild one on board - that would NOT be a good thing!

[bozzy]

amma said:

i think that they should also be able to stop and test trailers, and that trailers should be inspected yearly rather like an MOT. i've heard of horrendous accidents when horses legs drop through rotten flooring whilst being transported.

Totally agree, there are far too many unroadworthy trailers out and about. Basically just an accident waiting to happen and all to often, a poor innocent horse is involved.

[scattymare]

I was stopped about 6 years ago for the same thing... def not a new thing.... used to be main excuse was to weigh you lol. but DOT people would look round the vehicle too!

[Guest]

MOTs don't check floors though, so I should imagine that they can only stop you if your tyres/steering/emissions/lights/brakes/suspension are stuffed.

I wish they did check floors. I've seen too many new builds designed for 3 17 handers with just a tiny thin bit of ply for flooring and no waterproofing. Like that will last.

[LouiseB]

Hi There have always been these sorts of vehicle inspections so this isn't a new thing. I often read in our regional newspaper reports of these in the area when they have been targeting commercial vehicles, buses, taxis etc. I was once pulled over in my car into a temporary lane set up where they were checkinglights, condition and tyres.

Something I have read somewhere though is that your horsebox can be stopped and you asked to show your horses passports. However if you aren't going to a competition eg you are boxing out for a hack or taking a horse to the farrier etc or moving yards then you don't need to show them.

Does anyone else have any more info on this or can anyone confirm whether this is the case?

[lynette]

Ministry Road checks are nothing new and I have been pulled in for many over the years we have been doing horse transport. The only thing that is new is that VOSA now has the authority to pull you in without the presence of the Police. Before it was only a uniformed officer who could stop you. Sometimes it can be just a weight check but other times it can be the full works with wheetappers and shunters as we call them (Ministry Inspectors) Immigration Inspectors (checking for illegal workers who also claim benefits) and Animal Health Inspectors. There is a yearly one which the police call Operation Mermaid.

As to passports the onus is on you to proove otherwise. As far as Ministry is concerned there is a horse in a vehicle being moved for what purpose they do not know and the law states that the passport must be with the KEEPER of the animal. Whilst in transit that means the driver of the vehicle and moving yards is one of the instances that passport should travel with the horse.

I have been stopped and asked to produce passports for the animals on board and I also know of other people who have been stopped on the A1 and checked.