IRTE Northern Centre

01/11/2026

The IRTE Northern Centre October CPD presentation was held in Preston with over 50 people in attendance. The subject was HGV and PSV Testing Process and Preparation with the speaker being Selena Harrington a Technical Quality Lead officer from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Facts and figures were then covered with up-to-date numbers relating to tests undertaken, pass/fail rates covered and the (IM) numbers that were the highest percentage of failed items being shown via a digital presentation.

She also made note to the fact that several test failed items or repeated failures will affect the operators OCRS (Operator Compliance Risk score) and this can lead to DVSA enforcement examiners contacting the operator or visiting the operator’s premises and undertaking maintenance investigations.

Best practice was then covered to prevent failure or PRS (Pass Rectified at Station), including test planning around work schedules and ensuring vehicles or trailers are cleaned, inspected and prepared to meet test standards.

Selena spoke of the importance of having maintenance staff who understand the test requirements and standards, and who knew how to obtain the correct information from the Inspection Manuals that are now only available in digital format, so that out-of-date standards or inspection methods are not used.

Selena also covered the correct appeal process and some of the audience brought to light the lack of interaction or forwarding of information on occasions from the DVSA staff towards presenters, when a failure occurred, but not agreed with.

A Q&A session followed. This was very informative with over 20 questions being asked covering subjects that ranged from test fees, DVSA staff skills levels, ATF facilities and a full-on debate on headlight aim requirements and standards. All the questions were replied to with professional and structural answers.

The evening was rounded off with IRTE Northern Centre committee member Craig Gwillam the VSD Apprentice Scheme Manager (North) with DVSA thanking Selena Harrington for attending the centre. IRTE Northern Centre Hon. Chairman Tom Reed then presented a certificate of appreciation.

19/10/2026

The IRTE Northern Centre were pleased to catch up with Technician Matthew Lee this week at his employers Lancashire DAF, to present him with his commemorative plaque as a winner in the IRTE Northern Centre Young Engineer of the Year Awards - 2026.

Matthew who was joint winner in the Young HGV Technician section following a highly informative and positive entry submission from his manager at Lancashire DAF in Preston Adam Nelson.

The judges were particularly impressed by the young engineer’s technical abilities, achievements through training, dedication, and personal skills.

Matthew who was unable to attend the awards evening in June was presented with his award which due to there being joint winners this year was only recently delivered to the centre as well as a certificate of merit and a £100 Snap-on tools voucher by IRTE Northern centre committee member Chris Grime.

Adam Nelson said at the presentation and also on social media, please join all of us at Lancashire DAF in sending huge congratulations to Matthew on this incredible and well-deserved achievement.

We are so proud to have him on the team and can't wait to see what he accomplishes next!

Photo L to R

Adam Nelson (Service Manager Lancashire DAF), Matthew Lee, Chris Grime (IRTE Northern Centre committee member)

06/10/2026

We have recently received this great photo of Kenny Jones from Preston Scania.

Kenny has placed the IRTE Northern Centre plaque and certificate on the wall in the reception area at their Walton Summit dealership.

Thanks Kenny for the photo and for being a supporter of the Centre!

30/09/2026

The IRTE Northern Centre kicked off their new season of CPD presentations with a return to the centre by Former Senior Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell CBE and now operating as Chief Executive Officer at Beverley Bell Consulting & Training

The evening began with a little bit of reminiscing as the speaker informed the 59 members and guests who were present that 26 years ago, she had attended the centre having just taken up the post of NW TC to give her first address to the industry in her new role and that she always held the centre in high esteem and had returned on a number of occasions over the years to speak.

Beverley began her address by speaking about how the maintenance of commercial and public service vehicles is unregulated and that anyone can set up as a maintenance contractor, unlike many other industries. To address these failings, she spoke about good practice guides and Traffic Commissioner recommendations relating to maintenance standards, vehicle brake testing, staff training, earned recognition and MPRS (the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme).

Beverley then took some time to talk about several taboo subjects that can be easily forgotten, overlooked or shunned in an industry that can sometimes be guilty of being macho and not looking at the bigger picture that included, employee welfare, wellness, physical health, testing for fitness to undertake specified duties that related to drug and alcohol testing within the workplace.

The evening finished with a very informative and at times amusing Q&A.
Upon completion of the Q&A session, Northern Centre Hon. Vice Chairman Rhian Hughes thanked Beverley for once again attending the Centre and giving another informative and at times very amusing presentation.

As an act of appreciation, long standing committee member, and PSC member Chris Grime on behalf of the Northern Centre presented Beverly with an IRTE Northern Centre plaque and certificate to thank her for her continued support of the centre for over 25 years.

L to R: Rhian Hughes (Hon. Vice Chairman IRTE Northern Centre), Beverley Bell, Tom Reed (Hon. Chairman IRTE Northern Centre), Chris Grime (IRTE Northern Centre Committee member)

28/09/2026

Are you a member of the IRTE? - What's involved?

As a Professional Sector of SOE, IRTE promotes best practice, compliance and excellence in vehicle maintenance, playing a vital role in road safety, workforce development and the future of the road transport industry.

Find out more here:- https://soe.org.uk/our-sectors/irte-professional-sector/

26/09/2026

This Atkinson of McGarrie's was spotted by the IRTE Northern Centre's Hon. Sec. at .convoy earlier this year, what a great looking wagon!

We want to see some other great examples of trucks from a previous time in industry, share them in the comments below!

23/09/2026

Volvo Trucks New Electric Range named 'International Truck of the Year 2027'.

Read more here:

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