Book your next CVRT test at Lough Swilly Test Centre

13/07/2023

Lough Swilly Test Centre in Letterkenny is an RSA-appointed CVRT testing centre for both light and heavy commercial vehicles. Open six days a week, the centre tests over 500 vehicles a month and continues to go from strength to strength.

Strategically located on the outskirts of the bustling Co. Donegal town, Lough Swilly Test Centre is a one-stop shop for LCV and HGV testing, including voluntary testing, tachograph calibrations and road speed limiter checks. As a dedicated test centre, it offers the highest standard of testing.

Owned by Colm Doherty, Lough Swilly Test Centre has been in business since 1985. It originally operated from Letterkenny town centre before relocating to Bonagee in the mid-2000s. Lough Swilly became a CVRT testing centre in 2014 and recently renewed its licence until 2027.

The CVRT inspection, which is carried out on behalf of the RSA (Road Safety Authority), includes checking brakes, lights, markings, wheels and tyres, steering and suspension, chassis and underbody, tachograph, speed limiter, exhaust emissions, electrical systems, glass, mirrors and more. Lough Swilly Test Centre has invested heavily in the latest equipment for testing all LCV and HGV commercial vehicles. The purpose of the test is to ensure that these vehicles are in good roadworthy condition throughout their entire life.

Lough Swilly Test Centre’s purpose-built two-bay testing facility is manned by vastly experienced and professional testers with the capacity to perform quick and affordable tests on all types of commercial vehicles, including vans, trucks, trailers, buses, coaches, mini-buses, ambulances, campervans and motorhomes. Head tester Denis McGee is joined by fellow-testers Hugh McNulty and Shane Callaghan.

Bookings can be made over the phone or online (www.loughswillytestcentre.town.ie/booking) and clients can be sure of a top-class service, coupled with excellent customer care. All re-tests must be conducted within 21 calendar days and within 4,000kms of the initial full test, while appointments for a re-test must be booked at least five days before the 21 days expire.

“We have invested heavily in providing the best facilities for our customers. Their safety on the road and the safety of others is of paramount importance to us,” says Lough Swilly Test Centre administrator Joanne Houston.

“We have two test bays with qualified testers who are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have before or after the test. One of the test bays is for LGVs and the other is for HGVs. As our customer-base continues to grow, we have plans to add another test bay in the near future.

“We place a strong emphasis on customer care. We will always try to accommodate our clients at a time that suits them. They can relax with a cup of tea or coffee in the waiting area while the test is being completed. It’s a nice, friendly atmosphere and we have ample parking space. One of our big selling points is our location on the way into Letterkenny. It’s easy to access from all parts of Donegal and beyond.”

Lough Swilly Test Centre has many regular customers, including the fleets of Donegal County Council, Pat McGowan Transport, Foyle Coaches, Northgate Vehicle Hire, Leaseplan and Merrion Fleet.

“Our exceptional service is key to us keeping our existing customers and attracting new ones. They choose us ahead of other test centres because of the service we provide and the high standards we set. Our customers know that they will always be looked after when they test with us,” Joanne adds.

“We have many great customers from Inishowen down to Killybegs whose business we appreciate very much.”

Reliability has been a big factor in the success story too and it’s the reason why Lough Swilly Test Centre is part of The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), the Vehicle Testing Network (VTN) and Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT).

Quality, consistency and unbiased vehicle testing are the core values of the Lough Swilly Test Centre team who are customer-focused, compliant, thorough and offer a comprehensive and friendly service. At all times, the test centre adheres to stringent guidelines as laid down by the RSA. Excellence in service and the highest possible standards are a given.

The test centre is open from 7.30am to 6pm Monday-Thursday, 7.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays and 7.30am to 2.30pm on Saturdays. The Lough Swilly Test Centre team would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers for their continued support, and look forward to catering for all their vehicle test needs for many more years to come.

For your next CVRT test, be sure to give them a call.

Lough Swilly Test Centre

Bonagee,

Letterkenny,

Co Donegal,

F92 D796.

Phone: 074 91 22873

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.loughswillytestcentre.town.ie

First published in Irish Trucker magazine Vol 26 No 3, May/June 2023