VICOM AND AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (Charges for second inspection of vehicles)

Mr Cheo Chai Chen asked the Minister for Communications whether he will instruct VICOM and the Automobile Association not to charge $20.60 (GST included) for the second inspection of vehicles which have failed the initial inspection.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles Test) Rules, the Registry of Vehicles sets the maximum inspection fee which inspection centres can charge. Since 1982, this ceiling has been set at $40 for the first inspection and $20 for each subsequent inspection. The inspection fee of $20 for repeat inspections which VICOM and the Automobile Association introduced in January 1994 is in accordance with the limits set by ROV in 1982.

Mr Cheo Chai Chen (Nee Soon Central): Sir, I think this is not reasonable, because sometimes small faults are not easy to detect. Only when you go to VICOM and AA for inspection that you could find out the faults.

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Cheo, are you making a speech?

Mr Cheo Chai Chen: I am asking a question.

Mr Speaker: Ask your question now.

Mr Cheo Chai Chen: I have to say this first.

Mr Speaker: No speeches. Ask your question. This is Question Time.

Mr Cheo Chai Chen: I will ask the question now. Can I ask the Minister what is the reason for ROV to want these two organisations to charge for a second inspection?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: ROV did not ask these two organisations to charge. ROV has made provisions to set the limits so that organisations which are allowed to inspect vehicles, do not charge more than a certain limit. They have deemed it reasonable to set it at $40 for the first inspection and $20 for the second inspection. So long as these inspection centres do ot charge more than what has been prescribed, they are free to do so. It is not correct to say that ROV asked them to charge this amount. In fact, as I understand it, for many years, 1982 to 1994, these inspection centres did not charge anything for the second inspection. So I presume it must be because there are too many vehicles which are using the first inspection as their own quality check, and then coming back for the second inspection. I presume this must be the case. Nevertheless, it is up to them whether they wish to charge or not.

Mr Cheo Chai Chen: Sir, does the Minister agree that sometimes small faults are not easy to detect? So the vehicle owner has to send the vehicle for inspection and to be checked by more advanced equipment. Only then can they find out the faults. I think there should be no charge for the second inspection. I agree that maybe for the third inspection, the car owners should be charged.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: I suggest that the Member makes representations to the inspection centres not to charge for the second inspection. It is up to them whether they wish to take these views into consideration. As for the small vehicle owners not being able to detect the faults, I know that there are many vehicle owners who do not have to go for a second inspection. Presumably, they must have had other means of checking to make sure that their vehicles pass the first time.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, does the Minister have figures of how many vehicles passed the first inspection and the number of vehicles which needed subsequent inspections?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: No, I am afraid I do not have these figures offhand. If the Member would like to have these figures, I will be pleased to provide them.