Request ID: FOI-1946-2223 Date published: 24 November 2022
You asked
Under the Freedom of Information Act, can you also supply me with any further information, for example the number of buses operating in the TFL zones in London which are operating illegally with no valid MOT certificate in which case these buses should not be legally on the road?
Also if you can provide any other useful information, for example a breakdown of this information over the last 3 years, the number of accidents involving any of these buses as well as any other information so TFL can then decide if any further action is needed to be taken against the relevant bus companies who may be flouting the law in this way, i.e. by operating buses with valid MOT certificates, and I can only hazard a guess, doing this to save money and time for the bus companies involved but putting the public as well as passengers' safety at risk.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1946-2223/GH Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 1 & 4 November 2022. Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
Unfortunately, we do not hold the information you require. Ensuring all buses have a valid MOT is the responsibility of the bus operating companies.
However, sample checks are done as part of sample vehicle inspections undertaken by an Independent Body on behalf of TfL.
The regulatory bodies for Bus & Coach operator & vehicle licensing are the Traffic Commissioners and DVSA who also make such checks. Without an Operator’s licence from the Traffic Commissioner – the operator cannot operate.
Car check is not an appropriate site for Buses & Coaches. Buses and Coaches have annual tests to a different class from cars.
The government’s Annual Test site records the expiry of the annual test on LK66DWU (which you refer to) as being 25 January 2023.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
