There has been broad approval from Irish vehicle dismantlers to news of new regulation of Category A and Category B write-offs. Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, has now brought new legislation to cabinet which will force insurance companies to notify the Department of Transport when vehicles are assessed and categorised according to this criteria.

Under the rules a category A write-off is classed as a not safe to be permitted back on the road and the vehicle and all parts must be destroyed in accordance regulations by a licensed end of life vehicle facility. A category B write-off is classed as a vehicle not permitted back on the road but which may contain salvageable parts.

Currently, the scheme for vehicle insurers to submit notification details regarding total vehicle write-offs to the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) is only voluntary. The new compulsory regulations will form part of an amendment to Road Traffic Bill 2016.

Dismantlers have generally welcomed the news as it will provide greater clarity when dealing with extreme damaged vehicles. Previously concerns have been expressed that Category A and B write offs had been allowed to slip through the system and be put back on the road and as such pose a serious threat to road safety. There has however, been some criticism that the regulations do not go far enough and should include provision for lesser write off categories.

The move is also seen as something that will make it more difficult for unregistered dismantlers and body repairers in the grey economy to operate.