MOT special notice 05-25: MOT role restrictions following a cessation
Published 19 December 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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From 9 January 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are introducing new rules that limit testers and authorised examiner principals (AEP) from holding MOT roles during a 2-year or 5-year disciplinary cessation.
Changes to holding roles following a cessation
MOT testers
If you are an MOT tester and have been given a 2-year or 5-year cessation, you cannot hold any MOT roles for the entire duration of that cessation.
Authorised examiner principals (AEP)
You cannot hold any MOT roles for the entire duration of your cessation if you are the AEP of a:
- single-site authorised examiner that has been issued a 2-year or 5-year cessation
- multi-site authorised examiner where all sites have been issued a 2-year or 5-year cessation
Changes to the MOT testing guide
The MOT testing guide will be updated on 9 January 2026 to reflect these changes.
To see the full list of changes, select ‘see all updates’ at the top of the MOT testing guide from 9 January 2026 onwards.