The DVSA has issued a call for MOT testers across the UK to complete their annual training and assessment ahead of the 31 March deadline for annual training and assessment.
While the cut-off is still several months away, the agency is encouraging a “little and often” approach to ensure that the UK’s independent garages avoid a last-minute rush and the risk of suspended testing statuses.
Grant Thunder of the DVSA praised the industry’s output, noting that across all vehicle classes, the trade helped complete 35,229,047 MOTs, which he described as “more than one MOT per second throughout the year.”
The mandate requires every tester to complete at least three hours of training per year, but this requirement is designed to be flexible.
Grant suggests that for those who still have their full quota to complete, “an hour a month between now and March will get you there comfortably.”
This training does not always require a classroom setting, as the DVSA confirms that “the good news is you can do this however it suits you.”
Much of this development can be integrated into the daily routine of a busy workshop, as time spent reading MOT special notices, studying inspection manuals, or holding “group question and answer sessions with your colleagues” all counts toward the three-hour total.
The annual assessment remains an online, thirty-question multiple-choice test that can be taken at the workplace or from home.
The questions are meticulously crafted based on evidence found by vehicle examiners, public complaints, and “MTS data on defects that have been missed or incorrectly identified.”
Grant Thunder explained that the “DVSA choose the topics that evidence tells us should be most useful for testers,” ensuring the assessment remains relevant to modern road safety.
While an eighty per cent pass mark is required, testers can use their notes and the official manual during the one-hour exam, and the DVSA confirms “you can take it again if you don’t pass on the first attempt.”
A vital part of the process is the digital record-keeping requirement.
Testers must maintain an electronic training log on their MTS profile, detailing the date, duration, and specific topics covered.
Grant warned that “you will not be able to log the previous year’s training,” making it essential that all sessions are recorded before the year ends.
To help testers prepare, the DVSA has provided a list of question types for Group A and Group B vehicle classes, which Grant Thunder encourages technicians to review “to help you prepare before you take the assessment.”
Business owners and managers also have new tools to look forward to early next year.
The DVSA is introducing features that allow Authorised Examiners and Site Managers to download training logs and assessment certificates for their entire team directly from the MTS as a CSV file.
This increased transparency will help garage owners monitor their staff’s progress and provide support to any technicians who may be falling behind.
The consequences of missing the 31 March deadline remain absolute, as any tester without a recorded pass will lose their ability to test immediately.
Grant Thunder and the DVSA team expressed their gratitude for the industry’s “hard work and dedication over the year,” but they remain clear that “if you’re not able to complete your training and assessment on time… you will lose your ability to test.”
By following this guidance and spreading the workload over the coming months, technicians can secure their status with confidence and ensure their bays remain open for business in the new year.
