Guidance

Special notice 03-23: changes to DBS check requirements

Published 26 October 2023

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-special-notice-03-23-changes-to-dbs-check-requirements/special-notice-03-23-changes-to-dbs-check-requirements

The requirements for basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for MOT testers are changing from 8 January 2024.

What’s changing

From 8 January 2024, you must submit a basic DBS check if you are:

  • a new tester
  • an existing tester adding an additional test group (A or B) 
  • a tester returning after a disciplinary period of 28 days (short-term cessation) or a longer cessation of 2 or 5 years
  • a tester returning after being lapsed or suspended from testing – this includes being suspended for not completing your annual assessment

The DBS check must be dated within the 3 months leading up to the demonstration test.

How to submit a DBS check

You will be able to submit your DBS check online if you have a consent check code. You’ll be asked for this code when you fill in the form to book an MOT tester demonstration test.

You will need to send DVSA your DBS certificate by post if:

  • you do not have a consent check code
  • it’s a Scottish DBS certificate (these do not have a consent check code)
  • your DBS is not clear but you believe it does not constitute as serious offence as prescribed in the MOT testing guide: appendix 7

Send a copy of all the pages of the certificate, along with your MOT testing service user ID, to:

MOT Hub
DVSA
Broadway Business Park
Broadgate
Chadderton
Oldham
OL9 9XA

You should send your certificate by recorded delivery.

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