Call to regulate car retail sector

IN an effort to ensure standards are kept high and safety put at the top of the agenda, the Institute of the Motoring Industry (IMI) has announced plans to lobby MPs on the issue.

The IMI is calling on Parliament to licence the automotive retail sector when it returns from recess. It will tell MPs that according to new consumer research, more than 70 per cent of voters think it’s already a requirement for technicians in the motor industry to hold a licence to practise.

The call follows news that the Government plans to have driverless cars on UK roads by 2015. The IMI believes the implications of this new technology represent the final straw in the need for legislation. They will argue that modern vehicle technology has reached a level where regulation is necessary to ensure automotive technicians are currently competent – for the safety of motorists.

The IMI has received the “in principle” support of several major companies and organisations for licensing including REMIT, AutoGlass, Inchcape UK, John Clarke Motor Group and TrustFord. The Institute will look to build a consensus in the independent aftermarket during the campaign.

IMI CEO, Steve Nash explained: “The imminent prospect of autonomous vehicles on UK roads makes the issue of licensing extremely urgent. The proliferation of hybrid vehicles and complex driver assist systems has already increased the skills requirements for effective and safe working on modern vehicles. Service technicians without the proper training are increasingly putting themselves and motorists at risk.

“Our parliamentary research suggests that MPs currently see the motor industry as low skilled, low paid and dirty. It is vital that they and the public come to a better understanding of the requirements necessary to work on modern vehicles, especially with a new wave of technology on the horizon.

“The template for licensing already exists in the Professional Register, so there is no excuse. Many skilled operators in the industry are already calling for licensing, so they aren’t forced to compete with rogue traders, who undercut them, further damaging the reputation of the sector and putting motorists at risk.”

Please visit www.theimi.org.uk to find out more.