MOT testing guide for test stations

From:: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published: 8 February 2022
Updated:: 63 ~~February~~April 2023, see all updates

Contents

How the MOT scheme is administered and the rules for authorised examiners, testers and testing different types of vehicles.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This guide sets out the rules you have to follow to run an MOT test station.

The MOT inspection manuals for cars and passenger vehicles and motorcycles set out the processes and standards for the MOT test itself.

Abbreviations and definitions
Abbreviations and definitions
A. Introduction
The purpose of the MOT test, what it includes, which vehicles are tested and which are exempt, who carries out the test.
B. Authorised examiners
How to become an authorised examiner, what training you'll need, why your authorisation might cease, the facilities, equipment and security you need to carry out MOT tests, your responsibilities as a tester.
C. Designated councils, taxis and private hire vehicles
MOT testing by local authorities (designated councils), which taxis and private hire vehicles do not need an MOT certificate.
D. Requirements for authorisation
Who is eligible to become an authorised examiner, their responsibilities, how to apply, what happens when DVSA receives an application, site requirements, mandatory roles, required training, testing requirements for all vehicle classes.
E. Tester
Who is eligible to become a tester, when applications might be refused, training and keeping up to date.
F. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
The role of the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), how to make a complaint about DVSA.
G. Vehicle presenters
How to appeal against a decision to refuse a test certificate, how to complain against the issue of a test certificate.
H. Documentation
Inspection manuals and the MOT testing guide, special notices, leaflets and customer information, forms, test certificates, how to get a replacement test document, how documentation should be retained.
I. Discipline
What happens when shortcomings are found in MOT testing or operations, why disciplinary action may be taken against authorised examiners and testers, disciplinary points and how they're evaluated, when formal disciplinary action will be taken, making an appeal against cessation of authorisation.
J. Vehicle prohibitions
Who can issue prohibition notices, how a prohibition notice can be lifted, how to test vehicles with prohibition notices.
K. Police vehicle defect rectification scheme (VDRS)
What the vehicle defect rectification scheme is, when police may issue a vehicle defect rectification form, the role of the VTS in the VDRS scheme, what fees the VTS can set for VDRS.
L. Accounts and fees
Fees for tests, retests, duplicate certificates, replacement certificates, VAT, credit card payments, test slots, paying for MOTs with an account.
M. System rules and user roles
MOT testing service user roles, what they can do, what their responsibilities are, which roles are mandatory, authorised examiner's responsibility for security of the MOT testing service.
N. MOT contingency testing procedures
Contingency procedures for MOT testing, completing contingency test certificates, contingency testing catch ups, issuing duplicate and replacement contingency testing certificates.
Appendix 1: MOT management training
The training you'll need to be an MOT manager, when you'll need to complete the training, why you may need to retrain, how to apply for MOT manager training, what is covered in the course and how it's assessed, what happens if an MOT manager leaves an their role.
Appendix 2: Facilities and security
The facilities and security needed to carry out MOT testing, signs and notices, maintaining and calibrating testing equipment, documentation, IT and associated equipment, the MOT security code.
Appendix 3: Grounds for refusal
Reasons why a tester can refuse to carry out a test.
Appendix 4: Liability for loss or damage
Authorised examiner's liability for loss or damage that occurs as a result of testing.
Appendix 5: Tester qualifications
Information on acceptable qualifications to become a tester
Appendix 6: Tester training and demonstration tests
Training requirements for testers, initial MOT testing training, demonstration tests, MOT annual training for testers, keeping a training record, assessment of new and returning testers, assessment of continuing competence, arranging a demonstration test.
Appendix 7: Convictions and repute
Notifying DVSA of any convictions for individuals involved in the MOT scheme, how DVSA defines convictions and repute, what happens when DVSA are notified about convictions, what happens if you fail to notify DVSA of any convictions.
Appendix 8: Disciplinary procedures
Reasons for cessation of authorisation for authorised examiners and testers, informal appeal hearings, notice of cessations

Update history

2024-11-29 09:31
M. System rules and user roles – 5. Vehicle test station roles – updated the section ‘Tester’ to clarify that it’s the tester’s responsibility to make sure the equipment they use when conducting a test meets the mandatory requirements.

2024-08-05 08:59
Appendix 8: Disciplinary procedures – Appendix 8 Disciplinary procedures, paragraph 10 Major and minor errors for class 3,4,5 and 7 (group B demonstration tests).Performance checks, points 3 and 7. Removal of words ‘in turn’.

2024-04-02 09:44
Appendix 6: Tester training and demonstration tests – Updated section 6 (Recording annual training) as from 1 April 2024, MOT testers must record their annual training on the MOT testing service. They must also keep previous paper and electronic records (prior to those recorded on the MOT testing service) for 5 years.

2024-02-09 14:05
L. Accounts and fees – Updated section 6 (MOT accounts) as you can now fill in an online form to request a slot refund and to tell DVSA you are closing an MOT centre.

2024-01-08 08:43
Appendix 6: Tester training and demonstration tests – 9. Arranging a demonstration test – updated the information about Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks when booking a demonstration test.

2023-12-06 08:14
Appendix 8: Disciplinary procedures – Updated to incorporate the change from the issue of of paper MOT test documentation (VT20/VT30) to the vehicle’s digital record as the definitive test record.References to the issue of a VT20/VT30 have been replaced with recording a pass or fail test result on the MOT testing service.Appendix 8.2 incorrect test standards – Changed ‘6a. Error of judgement (e.g. failure item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed) – judgement obviously significantly wrong – Dangerous defect advised’ to ‘6a. Error of judgement – dangerous defect (e.g. dangerous item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed or wrong defect classification)’Changed ‘6b. Error of judgement (e.g. failure item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed) – judgement obviously wrong – Major defect advised’ to ‘6b. Error of judgement – major defect (e.g. failure item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed or wrong defect classification)’Changed ‘6c. Error of judgement (e.g. failure item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed) – judgement overruled but only marginally wrong – Minor defect advised’ to ‘Error of judgement – minor defect (e.g. minor item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed or wrong defect classification)’Informal hearings – bullet points removed from the list of examples for grounds for appeal:* cited formal warnings and/or previous short-term cessation letters are disputed* the conditions imposed are unreasonableThe venue –Removed paragraph: ‘The venues for English and Welsh cases will normally be DVSA’s offices in Bristol, Manchester and Leeds. Scottish cases will normally be heard in Edinburgh. The arrangements for (and the conduct of) the hearing will aim to create an appropriate atmosphere for discussion. For this reason, the parties will usually sit around a table.’Replaced with: ‘Appeals will, where possible, be heard via Microsoft Teams. In extreme circumstances where this is not possible, we will consider conducting them in person at a mutually convenient location.’

2023-04-03 13:42
Appendix 6: Tester training and demonstration tests – Appendix 6 – 1. Training for testers – Resuming testing following a lapse of 6 months to 5 years – Paragraph changed from ‘To maintain their testing status, a tester must complete a full MOT test within a 6 month period. If a full test is not completed the testers status becomes lapsed.’ to ‘To maintain their testing status, a tester must complete a full MOT test within a 6 month period for each test group they test. If a full test is not completed for either test group, the testers status becomes lapsed for that test group.’Appendix 6 – 5. MOT annual assessment and training for testers – Paragraph changed from ‘Testers must complete at least three hours training (16 hours over a rolling 5 year period) annually and successfully complete the annual assessment. The annual assessment must be carried out solely by the tester.’ to ‘Testers must complete at least three hours training annually and successfully complete the annual assessment. The annual assessment must be carried out solely by the tester.’

2023-02-06 15:02
Appendix 8: Disciplinary procedures – 8.1.5.b replace word “would” with “could”8.4.B add new sanction 12 – relating to charging more than the statutory fee.8.4.C.1 change sanction level for 2nd, 3rd & 4th occurrences of missing or incomplete training logs from L1 -L2 -L2 – L2 and L3 to L1 – L1 – L1 – L3 as applying the previous level sanction could cause inconsistency.

2022-09-05 08:10
Appendix 8: Disciplinary procedures – Update to section 8.1 Include reference to prosecution.Update to section 8.9 and 8.10Include new minor errors for “Candidate unable to answer a question correctly”

2022-03-02 11:39
Appendix 8: Disciplinary procedures – Add references back in to section 8.1 Authorised Examiner – A and Tester – BUpdate to Section 8.2 to improve understanding.Previous -1. Any defect missed on a testable item that would, in the opinion of DVSA, involve a risk of injury to any person if driven further. 40 points2. Failable defect missed on a testable item. 20 points3. Item failed is not testable. 20 points4. Item failed has no defect, (i.e. not a case involving an error of judgement). 20 points5. Minor defect missed or incorrectly added 10 points6. Error of judgement (e.g. failure item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed) a. Judgement obviously significantly wrong 10 pointsb. Judgement obviously wrong 5 pointsc. Judgement overruled but only marginally wrong 0 pointsChanged to – 1. Any defect categorised as dangerous within the relevant inspection manual that is missed on a testable item 40 points2. Any defect categorised as major within the relevant inspection manual that is missed on a testable item. 20 points3. Item failed is not testable. 20 points4. Item failed has no defect, (i.e. not a case involving an error of judgement). 20 points5. Any defect categorised as minor within the relevant inspection manual that is missed or incorrectly added 10 points6. Error of judgement (e.g. failure item ‘advised’, or ‘advisory’ item failed) a. Judgement obviously significantly wrong – Dangerous defect advised 10 pointsb. Judgement obviously wrong – Major defect advised 5 pointsc. Judgement overruled but only marginally wrong – Minor defect advised 0 points