Guidance

Special notice 03-26: changes to MOT testing service sign in and fast track disciplinary processes

Published 17 June 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. MOT testing service sign in

1.1 What’s changing 

From 25 June 2026, physical security cards will no longer work to sign in to the MOT Testing Service (MTS). 

MTS users who sign in using an email address will be required to authenticate at each sign in, rather than just once per day.

1.2 Why this change is happening 

Physical security cards have not been issued for some time and are now used by very few MOT service users. 

To reinforce the correct use of MTS sign in authentication methods: 

• use an authentication app to sign in, as this is the most secure option
• use email sign in to set up your account, recover access, or reset your password

1.3 What you need to do

If you already use an authentication app 

You do not need to take any action. This is the recommended and most secure way to sign in.

If you regularly use email method to authenticate

Set up an authentication app.  

Download and install an authentication app (such as Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or Google Authenticator) to your chosen device, select ‘Set up authentication app’ in your MTS profile follow the 3 steps to link the app to your MTS profile. 

When you use an authentication app, the system recognises your device for that session as trusted, so you usually only need to authenticate once rather than being asked again later the same day.

If you use a security card 

When the security cards are switched off you will automatically move to email sign in. 

Before 25 June 2026 ensure your MTS account has an email that only you can access and is not shared with others.  You can check and update this in ‘Your profile’ on the MTS home screen. 

If you do not update your email address before this date, you will be locked out of MTS and will not be able to sign in without contacting DVSA to reclaim your account. 

You will also need to set up an authentication app.  

Download and install an authentication app (such as Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or Google Authenticator) to your chosen device, select ‘Set up authentication app’ in your MTS profile follow the three steps to link the app to your profile.  

When you use an authentication app, the system recognises your device for that session as trusted, so you usually only need to authenticate once rather than being asked again later the same day.

1.4 Keep your email account secure

You must make sure your email account is secure. If it is compromised, someone could: 

• read your authentication codes 
• reset your passwords 
• access your MTS account

2. Changes to fast track

The fast track review process is now a well‑established and trusted part of the MOT disciplinary system. It helps us deal with lower-risk compliance issues quickly, while still protecting the integrity of the MOT scheme.

We are planning to expand how the process is used. 

From 1 July 2026 we will be including the following shortcomings where 100 points is the appropriate outcome for:

• 8.1.A.5b Breaches of security
• 8.1.A.5f A vehicle and/or tester are not present on the premises
• 8.1.A.5g Abuse or misuse of the MOT testing service free text option(s)

MOT6D for class 4, 5 or 7 where the outcome is 80 points from missed defects or a combination of missed defects and procedural errors.

All existing fast track requirements would continue to apply:

• the evidence is not contested
• the authorised examiner (AE) and tester both agree that the shortcoming has occurred, and they are content to use this process
• the AE or vehicle testing station (VTS) and tester have no preceding disciplinary cases in the previous 5 years