Provide MOT training courses

Types of MOT training

There are 2 types of MOT training you can provide:

• MOT tester and manager qualification courses
• MOT tester annual training courses

You must be approved by an awarding organisation to provide qualification courses.

You don’t need to be approved to provide annual training courses.

Provide qualification courses

You can get approval to provide these MOT qualifications:

• Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (classes 1 and 2 - motorcycles)
• Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (classes 4 and 7 - light vehicles)
• Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management

Apply for approval

Contact an awarding organisation to find out:

• if you’re eligible to be a training provider
• how to register with them

You can register with more than one.

When you’re approved

You’ll be responsible for approving individual MOT trainers to run the qualification courses.

The awarding organisations you register with will give you more information about running the courses.

Provide annual training

MOT testers must complete training between April and March every year. You can provide training courses for them to take.

MOT testers have to study different topics depending on whether they test:

• class 1 and 2 vehicles (‘group A’)
• class 3, 4, 5, 7 vehicles (‘group B’)

Most of the questions will be about specific topics. Some of the questions could be about other topics from the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide.

2025 to 2026 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Group A

Testers who test vehicles in group A need to know about:

• electric, hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles, disabled rider controls and vehicle modifications
• information in the MOT testing guide
• MOT test procedures
• the MOT inspection manual for motorcycles and sidecars

Group B

Testers who test vehicles in group B need to know about:

• electric, hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles, disabled driver controls and vehicle modifications
• information in the MOT testing guide
• MOT test procedures
• the  MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles

Groups A and B

MOT testers who test vehicles in both group A and group B need to study all the topics. They will need to train for at least 6 hours a year (instead of 3) and take 2 annual assessments.

Questions on electric, hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles, disabled rider and driver controls, and vehicle modifications

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• identifying these vehicles (some electric bicycles are subject to MOT test)
• emissions, smoke and visual tests on hybrid vehicles (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• what to do if the beam jack cannot extend clear of the batteries in the floor of an electric vehicle (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• identifying high voltage cables (not all are orange)
• health and safety
• testing hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems
• disabled driver and rider controls (as an addition to normal vehicle controls and when replacing normal vehicle controls)
• road testing vehicles fitted with disabled driver and rider controls
• fuel caps and flaps

Questions on information in the MOT testing guide

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• replacement certificates
• disciplinary procedures, points evaluation and possible action
• MOT contingency test procedures
• who to contact in situations like dealing with an incorrectly registered vehicle, needing testing advice, appealing against disciplinary action, and replacing certificates

Questions on test procedures

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• using turning plates correctly
• using an assistant in both the bike and car test one-person test lane (OPTL) and automated test lane (ATL)
• suspension checks, suspension bearing seized on a car
• using the decelerometer
• smoke test, temperature
• smoke test pre-checks
• smoke test plated values
• noise
• sound deadening material, noise suppression
• fuel system (gas powered vehicles leak check) heat shields, leaks
• headlamp alignment
• brake test procedures

Questions on test procedures applicable to class 4 and 7 vehicles only

MOT testers will be asked questions about items to consider in emissions testing and smoke testing. This includes:

• the age of the vehicle
• seating capacity
• L category vehicles
• modified engine or emission control equipment
• goods vehicles
• conversions

Questions on test procedures applicable to motorcycle class 1 and 2 vehicles only

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• suspension movement (acceptable or not acceptable)
• wheel misalignment (shaft drive)
• belt drive
• broken or modified levers
• footrests (missing or not required, single seat conversion)
• reflectors (position, size, shape)
• exhaust modified
• fuel leak
• battery security

Questions on the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide

These are some examples of the subjects all MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• number plates (including vehicle registration dates for grey characters or 3D effects)
• using an assistant in both the bike and car test one-person test lane (OPTL) and automated test lane (ATL)
• lighting
• when the interaction between lamps is acceptable or not acceptable (for example, a daytime running lamp (DRL) is permitted to switch off when the same side indicator is operating)
• locking devices

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group A:

• front and rear position lamps can be incorporated with the direction indicator lamps – the position lamp on the same side of the direction indicator may or may not switch off when the indicator is switched on
• the DRL can function as a front position lamp – it may or may not switch off or dim when the headlamps are switched on and the engine is running
• clutch and throttle controls (friction device, does not return to idle)
• number plate lamps
• indicator lamps, position (moped, solo, side car)
• testing a motorbike with linked brakes
• checking steering linkage
• checking steering head bearings
• checking a solo machine without a centre stand

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group B:

• anti-theft devices (M1 not N1 after 2001)
• correct use of turning plates (all checks)
• speedometer operation
• warning lamps (electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), seat belt supplementary restraint system (SRS), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or engine management light (EML))
• mirrors

2026 to 2027 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Group A

Testers who test vehicles in group A need to know about:

• lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
• information in the MOT testing guide
• braking
• the MOT inspection manual for motorcycles and sidecars

Group B

Testers who test vehicles in group B need to know about:

• lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
• information in the MOT testing guide
• braking
• the MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles

Groups A and B

MOT testers who test vehicles in both group A and group B need to study all the topics. They will need to train for at least 6 hours a year (instead of 3) and take 2 annual assessments.

Questions on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• headlamp aim
• headlamp conversions
• lighting requirements (dates, position, colour, type, separation distance)
• setting up headlamp test equipment
• identifying the beam image
• multi-function lamps (for example a position lamp or daytime running lamp (DRL) combined with an indicator or stop lamp)
• halogen lamps converted to LED or HID
• compliance with requirements

Questions on information in the MOT testing guide

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• training logs – including what action DVSA can take if you do not complete your training log
• driving licences – including driving licence requirements for MOT testers, restricted licences and name changes (section E of the MOT testing guide)
• convictions – including what happens if you fail to notify DVSA about convictions
• repute
• what happens if prospective or existing testers make false declarations or statements or give false documents to DVSA or MOT training providers
• aborting or abandoning a test
• becoming mentally or physically unfit to test
• replacement certificates
• duplicate certificates
• change of vehicle classification
• change of vehicle details
• grounds to refuse an MOT test
• grounds to decline an MOT test
• discipline (section I of the MOT testing guide)
• what happens if a vehicle is damaged during an MOT test

Questions on brake requirements

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• mechanical components (discs, drums, brake pads and linings)
• cables, rods, levers and linkages
• brake pipes, rigid and flexible hoses
• hydraulic systems
• brake performance and procedures – linked brake systems (group A), electrical mechanical brakes and 4x4 vehicle testing (group B)
• identifying dual purpose vehicles and the appropriate brake test (class 4 only)

Questions on the MOT inspection manuals

These are some examples of the subjects all MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• tyres (including tread depth, condition, valve stem, size, type)
• suspension (including suspension components, fastening devices, linkages, wear in components, bushes)

Group A

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group A:

• sidecars
• handlebar condition
• forks and yokes
• structure and attachments

Group B

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group B:

• suspension components (including pins and bushes, suspension arms, ball joints and ball joint dust covers)
• anti-roll bars (including ball joints, linkage ball joints, dust covers, pins and bushes, and attachment bracket and mounting)
• subframes (including prescribed mounting areas, attachment brackets, ball joints, ball joint dust covers, and pins and bushes)
• emissions testing and smoke testing (including kit cars, different engine, vehicle conversions, and when the information is not available on equipment or emission booklet)