The Driver and Vehicle Stanadards Agency (DVSA) is reminding vehicle operators that the EU roadworthiness directive comes into effect on May 20.

The changes, which will improve road safety, include updated standards for HGVs and PSVs, new testing defect categories and a number of additional vehicles being brought into the testing regime.

DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you keep your vehicle safe to drive.

“The EU Roadworthiness Directive will involve changes for vehicle operators. Some vehicles will be subject to testing for the first time. Other vehicles will need additional or different testing to make sure they reach the required level.

“I’d urge operators to make sure they’re up to date with items to comply with the directive.”

Some heavy vehicles, based on an HGV chassis, will lose their test exemption and will need to have an annual test for the first time. This includes vehicles such as volumetric concrete mixers, trailers and those others that were previously exempt but are used to travel abroad.

Fast tractors that have been designed and built to do more than 40 km/h will need to be tested if they’re used for transporting a load that isn’t related to agriculture, horticulture or forestry operations, and used more than 15 miles from their operating base.