Guidance

MOT special notice 05-19: convictions, repute and DBS checks

Published 9 October 2019

This guidance was withdrawn on

This MOT special notice has been withdrawn because the information has been added to the MOT testing guide, so it is no longer relevant.

You can find all the information in the latest version of the MOT testing guide at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-testing-guide

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-special-notice-05-19-convictions-repute-and-dbs-checks/mot-special-notice-05-19-convictions-repute-and-dbs-checks

1. Convictions and repute

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will update the rules and guidance about convictions and repute in the MOT scheme from 1 November 2019.

It will:

  • replace all existing guidance
  • become a new appendix in the MOT testing guide from 1 November 2019

If you get a conviction

From 1 November 2019, you must tell DVSA immediately if you get a conviction where one of the following is imposed:

  • a prison sentence (or suspended sentence) of 3 months or more
  • a fine exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (currently £2,500)
  • a community service order (or equivalent) requiring unpaid work for more than 60 hours
  • any punishment outside the UK equivalent to these points

This applies to:

  • MOT testers
  • authorised examiner principals (AEPs) - that is, sole traders, every partner in a partnership, or every director in a company
  • authorised examiner (AE) designated managers (AEDMs)
  • AE delegates (AEDs)
  • site managers
  • site admins

2. Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

From 1 November 2019, DVSA will change the way it checks people during the process to apply to open, run or change an MOT centre. This will formalise the process and protect the integrity of the MOT.

At the moment, you have to send countersigned photographs as part of the application process. This will stop.

Instead, you’ll have to:

  • sign a declaration that you do not have any convictions
  • provide a basic DBS check to support this

This applies to:

  • AEPs - that is, sole traders, every partner in a partnership, or every director in a company
  • AE designated managers (AEDMs)

The application form to open, run or change an MOT centre will be updated on 1 November 2019 with the new process.

What the basic DBS check does

The basic DBS check will:

  • check your identity using GOV.UK Verify
  • show any unspent convictions you have

If you’re already authorised

You do not need to do anything if you’re already authorised.

DVSA will only ask you to send a DBS check for any additions or changes to your authorisation. You might also be asked to do this as part of an appeal against any disciplinary action that has been taken against you.

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