Courses for VRT Tester's Licence

The first of a series of courses leading to a VRT Tester's Licence organised by ETC, starts this Wednesday.

The courses are for the vehicle tester only, i.e. the person who actually carries out the testing, and successful completion is a prerequisite of an application for a Vehicle Tester's Licence. Candidates will sit for a written one-hour examination.

The courses cover two classes of vehicles. Course A, a 20-hour course, covers Class II, i.e. motor vehicles with a GVW less than 3,500 kg. This covers cars, mini-buses and small commercial vehicles. Course B, a 25-hour course, covers Class III, i.e. motor vehicles with a GVW of 3,500 kg and over, including route buses, coaches, trucks and lorries.

Applicants must be over 19 when applying. They must also be qualified in the automotive mechanical field or have at least five years' unimpaired experience. A valid driving licence for the class of vehicle applied for is also required. A reasonable knowledge of English is required since the course manuals are in English (the same as the ones used by the Vehicle Inspectorate in the UK).

Applications must be made on a specific Licensing and Testing Department form and must be submitted to the Licensing and Testing Department, Hornworks Ditch, Floriana. Documents showing qualifications and/or work experience must be submitted together with the application form, together with ID card and a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle being applied for. All applications will be vetted by the Licensing and Testing Department and a list of eligible candidates will be submitted to ETC for inclusion in the course.

Course A costs Lm20 and Course B costs Lm25. Fees are payable at ETC 30 minutes before the start of the first session. The courses are free for people on the unemployment register.