AFRICAN 
STANDARD  DARS  
1355 -4 
First Edition 2020  
 
 Reference No. ARS 1355 -4:2020 (E) 
ICS 43.020  
 
 
© ARSO 2020  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — 
Part 4: Roadworthiness — Requirements for vehicle examiners  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1355 -4:2020  
ii © ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   
Table of contents  
 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
3.1 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  1 
3.2 Abbreviations  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  2 
4 Selection and appointment of vehicle examiners  ................................ ................................ ...........  2 
4.1 Character  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  2 
4.2 Experience and training  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
5 Powers and duties of vehicle examiners  ................................ ................................ ........................  3 
5.1 Powers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
5.2 Duties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 3 
5.3 Circumstances where the competence or veracity of an examiner will be questioned, and 
which may lead to a disciplinary hearing  or possible suspension or dismissal  ................................ .. 4 
6 Judgements, calculations and determinations required of a vehicle examiner  ..............................  5 
6.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 5 
6.2 Ability to perform calculations.  ................................ ................................ ...............................  5 
6.3 Ability to make judgements or determinations or to source in formation.  ...............................  5 
7 Grading of a vehicle examiner  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
Annex A (normative)  Driving Licence (DL) Codes for Vehicle Examiners  ................................ .............  7 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  8 
 
  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  iii Foreword  
 
The African Organization for Standardization (ARS O) is an African intergovernmental organization 
established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Organization of 
African Unity (AU)  in 1977 . One of the fundamental mandates of ARSO is to develop and harmoniz e 
African Standards (ARS) for the purpose of enhancing Africa’s internal trading capacity, increase 
Africa’s product and service competitivene ss globally and uplift the welfare of African communities.  The 
work of preparing African  Standards is normally carried out through ARSO  technical committees. Each 
Member State  interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the 
right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, Regional Economic Communities 
(RECs), governmental and non -governmental  organizations , in liaison with ARSO , also take part in the 
work.  
 
ARSO  Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.  
 
The main task of technical committees is to prepare ARSO  Standards. Draft ARSO  Standards adopted 
by the technical co mmittees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an ARSO  
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.  
 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the su bject of 
patent rights. ARSO  shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
 
This African Standard was prepared by the ARSO Technical (Harmonization ) Committee Number 08-
4/59 on Automotive Technology and  Engineering (ARSO/THC 0 8-4/ARSO/TC 59 ). 
 
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation  2020 — All rights reserved*  
 
ARSO Central Secretariat  
International House 3rd Floor  
P. O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square  
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel. +254 -20-2224561, +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
E-mail: arso@arso -oran.org  
Web: www.arso -oran.org  
  
                                                 
* © 2020 ARSO — All rights of exploitation reserved worldwide for African Member States’ NSBs.  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
iv © ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   
Copyright notice  
 
This ARSO document is copyright -protected by ARSO. While the reproduction of this document 
by participants in the ARSO standards development process is permitted without prior permission 
from ARSO, neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored or 
transmitted in any form for any other purpose without prior written permission from ARSO.  
 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be 
addressed as shown below or to ARSO’s member body in the country of the requester:  
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation 20 20 — All rights reserved  
 
ARSO Central Secretariat  
International House 3rd Floor  
P.O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square  
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel: +254 -20-2224561, +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
 
E-mail: arso@arso -oran.org  
Web: www.arso -oran.org  
 
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement. 
Violators may be p rosecuted.  
 
 
 
  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  v Introduction  
 
This standard consists of the following parts under the general title “Specification for vehicle 
roadworthiness”  
 
Part 1: Roadworthiness of vehicles already in service  
 
Part 2: Roadworthiness of vehicles prior to entry into service and th ereafter  
 
Part 3: Roadworthiness — Supporting information  
 
Part 4: Roadworthiness — Requirements for vehicle examiners  
 
Part 5: Roadworthiness — Requirements for testing equipment  
 
Part 6: Roadworthiness — Requirements for combinations of vehicles  
 
 DARS 1355 -4:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  1  
Vehicle standards — Specification for vehicle roadworthiness — 
Part 4: Roadworthiness — Requirements for vehicle examiners  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This Part 4 of the specification contains information intended to aid in the selection and appointment of 
vehicle examiners, their duties, their training and ongoing updating of vehicle examiners.  
 
2 Normative  references  
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) a pplies.  
 
ARS 1355 -1, Vehicle Standards — Specification for Vehicle Roadworthiness — Part 1: Roadworthiness 
of vehicles already in use  
 
ARS 1355 -2: Vehicle standards — Specification for Vehicle R oadworthiness — Part 2: Roadworthiness 
of vehicles prior to entry into service, and thereafter  
 
ARS 1355 -3: Vehicle  Standards — Specification for V ehicle Roadworthiness — Part 3: Roadworthiness 
— Supporting information  
 
ARS 1355 -5: Vehicle Standards — Specification for  Vehicle Roadworthiness — Part 5 : Requirements 
for testing equipment  
 
ARS 13 79: Definitions and classifications of power -driven vehicles and trailers  
 
FMVSS 115: Federal VIN Requirements (Title 49, Chapter V, Part 565)  
 
ISO 3779 : Road vehicles — Vehicle identification number (VIN) — Content  and structure  
 
ISO 3780:  Road vehicles – World manufacturer identifier (WMI) code  
 
ISO 4030:  Road vehicles – Vehicle identification number (VIN) – Location and attachment  
 
ISO/IEC 18013 -1: Information technology — Personal identification — ISO-compliant driving licence — 
Part 1: Physical characteristics and basic data set  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
For the purpose of this standard the following definition s and abbreviations apply . 
 
3.1 Definitions  
 
3.1.1  
appointing authority  
authority authorised by domestic legislation, inclusive of an authority  authorised  by the Ministry or 
Government Institution responsible for Transport and a  duly registered and graded vehicle test station  
in accordance with domestic legislation  
 
3.1.2  
registration plate  / licence plate  / number plate  
the appropriately manufactured and embossed plate which is attached to the front and rear of a motor 
vehicle or the rear of a trailer and a motorcycle  
 
AFRICAN STANDARD  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
2 © ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  3.1.3  
vehicle category  
in accordance with ARS 1379 by appli cation of  the U N ECE Regulations  included under Parts 2 and 3  
 
3.2 Abbreviations  
 
COF  Certificate of Fitness issued after a periodic roadworthiness test which is to be displayed on 
the vehicle to which it relates  
 
UN ECE  United Nations Economic Commission for Europe  
 
VIN vehicle identification number issued, affixed to and recorded on a vehicle in accordance 
with ISO 3779 , ISO 3780 and ISO 4030 or FMVSS 115 , also included in the definition of  
chassis number  in domestic legislation  
 
VTS vehicle test station  
 
WMI World Manufacturer Identif ier in accordance with ISO 3780  
 
4 Selection and appointment of vehicle examiners  
 
Vehicle examiners may be selected and appointed provided they satisfy certain of the following criteria 
as decided by the appointing authority:  
 
4.1 Character  
 
a) Clearance certificate showing lack of criminal convictions.  
 
b) References from previous employers provided contact is still possible to obtain direct advice.  
 
c) Must be amenable and supportive of further training and to periodic checking by  others of the 
quality and accuracy of his or her performance.  
 
4.2 Experience and training  
 
a) Be at least 20 years of age.  
 
b) Have been issued with a valid driving licence for the vehicle  categorie s he or she is qualified to 
test. 
 
c) Have appropriate experience and qualifications relative to what is prescribed by the appointing 
authority to each country being a balance between practical knowledge of what to look for in 
vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness, formal training and having undergone periods of 
mentorship.  
 
d) Have appropriate training as a vehicle examiner in the application of ARS  1355 -1 and 
ARS 1355 -2 where this training has been approved by the appoint ing authority.  
 
e) Capability of maintaining the premises, facilities and equipment prescribed in ARS 1355 -5 for 
which the employment position is responsible.  
 
f) Knowledge of the meaning of the term “calibration” and a proven ability to undertake or 
commission such work.  
 
g) Be computer literate and be able to use a handheld mobile computing device  specified in 
ARS 1355 -5. 
 
h) Ability to determine the capacity of goods and of passenger vehicles.  
 
i) Must be assessed, during a written test, to be able to display adequate know ledge of the 
judgements and calculations required in Clause 6  when assessing the roadworthiness of a 
vehicle.  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  3  
j) Must be assessed to be able to display adequate knowledge of the national road traffic 
legislation affecting the operation of vehicles on a pu blic road as demonstrated by a written test 
and ownership of copies of the relevant legislation and specifications.  
 
k) Must have completed a minimum of 50 successful vehicle examinations under mentorship.  
 
l) Must have a working  knowledge of the main requirements of the corresponding versions of the 
UN ECE Regulation s in Part 2.  
 
5 Powers and duties of vehicle examiners  
 
Vehicle examiners must conduct themselves in such a way that the following powers are exerted and 
the duties p erformed.  
 
5.1 Powers  
 
a) May refuse to conduct or to complete roadworthiness testing on a vehicle:  
 
i) which is dirty to the extent that an examiner will be unable to see certain parts that need 
to be assessed or where fluids may be dripping excessively;  
 
ii) where the vehicle is discovered to be clearly unsafe to move or to drive;  
 
iii) the vehicle cannot be identified properly because the VIN is not present, or readable 
and/or no other permanent and positive identification is available, or  
 
iv) the appropriate fees and application details have not been properly completed.  
 
b) May not refuse to test a vehicle of a type for which the VTS is graded and authorised to test .  
 
c) Must prohibit any person from entry to the testing area on the grounds of saf ety or to prevent 
the examiner from being distracted during the testing, except in the following cases:  
 
i) a single person lane operation, or  
 
ii) a vehicle adapted for operation by a disabled person is not able to be operated safely 
by the vehicle examiner.  
 
5.2 Duties  
 
a) To offer a fair and just roadworthiness testing service and to issue a COF if the results of the 
roadworthiness inspection warrant the issue.  
 
b) To portray a customer friendly attitude of willingness to provide a service rather than that of 
indifference, arrogance or unwillingness to render reasonable advice or assistance.  
 
c) To encourage customer feedback and suggestions and to maintain records of such.  
 
d) When opportunities arise must endeavour to educate operators as to the importance of 
maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition.  
 
e) Must be graded by and register with the appointing authority as an authorised vehicle examiner 
and advise the appointing authority of any change in contact details or of any appointment at 
another VTS. 
 
f) Must attend periodic refresher training courses offered by public or private entities in order to 
keep up with technical and legislative developments.  
 
g) Must maintain up -to-date copies of legislation and specifications relative to the ro adworthy test.  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
4 © ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   
h) Must maintain and review a register of testing equipment showing suppliers contact details, 
calibration records, records of repair or other maintenance or failures including dates of such 
events.  
 
i) Must maintain and review  weekly repor ts on the number of vehicles tested and the reasons for 
any failures , which are to be included in the reporting  to the appointing authority by the 
management of the VTS . 
 
j) Must provide the presenter of the vehicle with a clear description of any defect found that results 
in failure of the vehicle to be classified as Roadworthy and issued with a COF.  
 
k) May not cause physical damage to any part of the vehicle by deliberate mechanical intervention 
such as removing a wheel or using tools to access parts of  the vehicle.  
 
l) To give written advice to the presenter of the vehicle to remove it, or to have it removed, within 
a suitable period allowed by the management of the VTS.   
 
m) To offer the presenter of the vehicle an opportunity to appeal in writing agai nst the findings of a 
failed roadworthy test and to have the appeal processed within 7 working days.  
 
n) To issue a “Discontinuation of Use” notice, or equivalent, in the event that the results of the 
roadworthiness test show that the vehicle constitutes a danger to other road users, provided 
that the examiner of a private VTS may not issue a “Discontinuation  of Use” notice or equivalent. 
Such notices are not justified in the event that a deficiency is detected that constitutes an 
administrative deficiency such as the vehicle description is not accurate or constitutes a minor 
deviation from technical adequacy.  
 
o) Must enter the odometer reading and complete all the details required in the roadworthiness 
report.  
 
p) Must exert control over the safety or threat of loss of equipment.  
 
q) Must keep written records of activities and to ensure the safekeeping of suc h records and of 
documents and forms.  
 
r) Must appreciate the need for confidentiality and maintain the necessary confidences.  
 
s) The examiner alone is not empowered to issue a COF . Thus there must be another person 
employed by the VTS to validate the certificate except where automatic equipment is in use in 
which case another person may validate the certificate the next day.  
 
5.3 Circumstances where the competence or veracity of an examiner will be 
questioned, and which may lead to a d isciplinary hearing or possible suspension 
or dismissal  
 
A vehicle examiner must agree to be investigated in the event that any of the following situations are 
under question by the app ointing  authority.  
 
The following are not considered to amount to a comprehensive list. There are many circumstances 
which may result in a conclusion by the a ppointing  authority of incompetence or dishonesty which are 
not covered below.  
 
a) When measures to expose fraud or some form of corruption are being used at the VTS and 
their results indicate that fraud, corruption or incompetence are prevalent.  
 
b) When a roadside roadworthy test is conducted and various defects are found on a vehicle which 
records show that it has been subjected to a roadworthiness recently and issu ed with a COF 
and yet it is highly improbable or clearly impossible for the defects that are present at the DARS 1355 -4:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  5 roadside roadworthiness test – or subsequent confirmatory test at a VTS to have developed in 
the intervening period.  
 
c) When analysis of the weekly  reports by the a ppointing authority  indicate failure rates and 
reasons for failure which are outside the national norms or which are clearly unreasonable and 
technically unjustifiable.  
 
d) An observed test where a vehicle is submitted for examination by a  ‘mystery shopper’ (a person 
posing as a customer) in order to check the VTS’s testing methods and standards (an ‘incognito’ 
test) and those methods or standards appear to be inadequate. This is also known as the 
submission of a “ghost vehicle” with known defects so as to assess the competence of the 
examiner and in some cases the veracity of the examiner.  
 
e) Other more involved investigations in cases where the a ppointing  authority considers there may 
be significant abuses, which may include covert survei llance of sites offering roadworthy tests 
or at sites where potentially testable vehicles are present.  
 
6 Judgements, calculations and determinations required of a vehicle 
examiner  
 
6.1 General  
 
A vehicle examiner must be able to judge:  
 
a) whether the performance or life of the vehicle or its parts has been rendered unroadworthy as 
a result of:  
 
i) Wear and tear having become excessive;  
 
ii) Corrosion in evidence to the extent of risk of metal failure and danger to other road 
users or likely to reduce p erformance required for safety;  
 
iii) Parts or equipment missing  which are  important to safety and which would have been 
present when the vehicle was new.  
 
b) Whether equipment or adjustment or tampering of certain mechanisms has occurred to enable 
the roa dworthy test requirements to be met but would very soon in service be unable to provide 
the performance necessary to meet the roadworthy test requirements. (e.g. brake adjustments 
systems on busses and heavy goods vehicles).  
 
6.2 Ability to perform calculations.  
 
A vehicle examiner must be able to perform the following calculations:  
 
a) to calculate the overall braking efficiency of a vehicle using brake roller or road test results, and  
 
b) to establish the stopping distances from differing speeds.  
 
6.3 Ability to make judgements or determinations or to source information.  
 
6.3.1 A vehicle examiner must have knowledge and be competent on many technical issues, including 
but not limited to, the following matters:  
 
a) the position of the VIN or other v ehicle identification on different vehicle brands;  
 
b) the structure of the VIN and its WMI and the meaning of some of the VIN content;  
 
c) how to establish the load carrying capacity of tyres, and  
 
d) the brands and trade names of acceptable retro -reflect ive equipment.  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
6 © ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   
6.3.2 A vehicle examiner must have knowledge or be able to source information including but not 
limited to the following matters:  
 
a) the meaning and benefit of having E -marked components;  
 
b) the forces exerted during vehicle accidents affecting safety belts, rear underrun etc;  
 
c) the purpose of the rear underrun protective equipment;  
 
d) the purpose and benefits of various designs of rear  view mirrors, and  
 
e) how to access certain vehicle design safety standards ( Regulations) of the U N ECE.  
 
NOTE Advice is provided in ARS 1355 -3 on much of the above requirements.  
 
7 Grading of a vehicle examiner  
 
A vehicle examiner  complying with the following requirements shall be graded as prescribed in Table  1: 
 
a) minimum training requirements for the Grade relative to the Vehicle Categories  specified in ARS 
1379 ; and  
 
b) valid driving licence code (s) compliant with ISO/IEC 18013 -1 relative to the Vehicle Categories  
specified in ARS 1379 as follow : 
 
i) Grade A:  both code s CE and DE driving licence s for manual transmission, as well as a 
code A driving licence ; 
 
ii) Grade B:  code BE driving licence for manual transmission, as well as a code A driving 
licence , and  
 
iii) Grade C:  code A driving licence.  
 
Table 1: Vehicle Examiner Grading relative to  VTS Grade  
 
Vehicle Testing Station   Grade of Vehicle Examiner that may conduct 
Roadworthiness Testing at a VTS  
Grade of VTS  Vehicle  Categories  that may be 
tested per Class of Test Lane   A B C 
 Minimum Driving Licence Codes of Examiner  
 A, CE(1) & DE(1) A & BE(1) A 
A All vehicle classes  I Code L1 & L3   All Codes  All Codes  All Codes  
II Codes L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, 
L7, M1, N1, O1 and O2   All Codes  All Codes  Codes L1 & L3 only  
III Codes L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, 
L7, M1, M2, M3, N1, N2, N3, 
O1, O2, O3 and O4   
All Codes  All Codes , 
excluding M2, M3, 
N2, N3, O3 & O4 Codes L1 & L3 only  
B Light vehicles (incl. tri -
/quadricycles) with a 
GVM (or GCM in the 
case of articulated 
motor vehicles) NOT 
exceeding 3  500 kg  I Code L1 & L3   All Codes  All Codes  All Codes  
II Codes L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, 
L7, M1, N1, O1 and O2   
All Codes  All Codes  Codes L1 & L3 only  
C Motorcycles and 
mopeds  I Code L1 & L3   All Codes  All Codes  All Codes  
  NOTE:  (1) Driving licence without restrictions for a 
manual transmission . 
 DARS 1355 -4:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  7 Annex A  
(normative)  
 
Driving Licence (DL) Codes  for Vehicle Examiners  
 
 
DL 
Code Description  Capacity  GVM  Seats  Trailer  GCM  Codes 
Auth orised  
AM Moped  (16 yrs)  ≤ 45km/h      AM 
A1 Light motorcycle 
(16 yrs)  ≤ 125cc/  
≤ 11kW      A1; AM  
A2 Medium 
motorcycle  
(18 yrs) ≤ 35kW      A2; A1; AM  
A Motorcycle  
(18 yrs) > 125cc      A* 
B1 Tri- / Quadricycle  
(18 yrs)      B1 
B Light motor vehicle  
(18 yrs)  ≤ 3500kg  ≤ 9 ≤ 750kg  ≤ 3500kg  B; B1  
BE Light articulated 
motor vehicle  
(18 yrs)  ≤ 3500kg  ≤ 9 > 750kg  ≤ 3500kg  B* 
C1 Medium goods 
vehicle  (18 yrs)  3500kg < x 
≤ 7500kg   ≤ 750kg   C1; B; B1  
C1E Articulated 
medium goods 
vehicle  (18 yrs)  3500kg < x 
≤ 7500kg   > 750kg  ≤ 12000kg  C1*; B*  
C Goods vehicle  
(21 yrs)  > 7500kg   ≤ 750kg   C; C1; B; B1  
CE Articulated goods 
vehicle  (21 yrs)  > 7500kg   > 750kg   C*; B*  
D1 Medium passenger 
vehicle  (21 yrs)   9 < x ≤ 17  ≤ 750kg   D1; B; B1  
D1E Articulated 
medium passenger 
vehicle  (21 yrs)   9 < x ≤ 17  > 750kg  ≤ 12000kg  D1*; B*  
D Passenger vehicle  
(24 yrs)   > 17 ≤ 750kg   D; D1; B; B1  
DE Articulated 
passenger vehicle  
(24 yrs)   > 17 > 750kg   D*; B*  
NOTE:  (*) Denotes “All Categories” i.e. B* means B, BE and B1; C* means C, CE, C1 and C1E; D* means D, DE, D1, and D1E . 
 
  DARS 1355 -4:2020  
8 © ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved  Bibliography  
 
 
SADC HT 105 -4:2019, SADC Harmonized Text — Vehicle Standards — Specification for Vehicle 
Roadworthiness — Part 4: Requirements for Vehicle Examiners  
 
UK MoT Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual , Consolidated Edition, DVSA 2013 ,  
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot -testing -guide  
 
UK MoT Testing Guide (6th Edition), DVSA February 2018 , www.gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals  
 
UK MoT Testing Guide for Test Stations , DVSA 18 June 2018 , MOT testing guide  
 
UK MoT Vehicle Inspection Manual, DVSA , www.gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals  
 
UK MoT Set up a test station, DVSA , www.gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals  
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1355 -4:2020 
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved