A series of updated DVSA rules will formally come into effect today (9 January 2026), significantly tightening how the MOT scheme is enforced.
The changes affect both MOT testers and Authorised Examiners (AEs), with a clear shift towards stricter accountability, clearer disciplinary boundaries and greater management oversight.
While some elements have been signposted through recent guidance updates, January marks the point at which enforcement becomes far more explicit.
Long-term bans mean total removal from MOT work
One of the most significant changes concerns testers and AEs who receive serious disciplinary sanctions.
Under the new rules, any tester issued with a two-year or five-year cessation will be prohibited from taking part in any MOT-related activity for the duration of the ban.
This includes not only carrying out tests, but also signing certificates or having any involvement in testing operations at an authorised site.
The same applies to Authorised Examiners and AE Principals subject to long cessations.
Once banned, they must step away from MOT duties entirely until the sanction expires.
This removes any previous uncertainty around partial involvement and represents a firm line from DVSA on serious breaches.
Disciplinary thresholds adjusted but consequences remain severe
DVSA has also revised how disciplinary points are applied. The threshold at which formal suspensions can occur has been raised, offering greater tolerance for minor or isolated errors.
However, this does not signal a softer approach overall. Serious or deliberate breaches can still lead to lengthy cessations, which now carry heavier practical consequences due to the total removal from MOT roles.
For garages, this means a single serious issue could instantly remove a tester from service, with direct operational impact.
Greater scrutiny of tester repute and convictions
Rules around tester repute have also been strengthened. MOT testers are now required to declare any new motoring or relevant criminal convictions, even if sentencing has not yet taken place.
Offences resulting in custodial sentences are automatically considered damaging to a tester’s standing within the scheme.
Failure to disclose convictions, or delays in doing so, can itself trigger disciplinary action.
This places increased importance on transparency and timely reporting, both for testers and site management.
Changes to demonstration testing
The demonstration test required for new and returning testers has been simplified in format, but not in expectation.
The number of questions has been reduced, making the process shorter.
However, testers must still achieve a perfect score to pass, meaning preparation and technical understanding remain essential.
Training records move into spotlight
Annual training requirements themselves remain unchanged, but how they are monitored is evolving.
From 2026, Authorised Examiners and Site Managers will be able to download full training and assessment records directly from the MOT Testing Service. DVSA will actively reference this data during audits and investigations.
In practical terms, this means training compliance is no longer something that sits quietly with individual testers. Management is now explicitly accountable for oversight.
