Vehicle test and certificate costs: buses and coaches (at authorised testing facilities)
Updated 17 May 2021
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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This guide sets out the fees and average test times for having bus, coach, or other public service vehicle (PSV) tests done at private testing facilities (called ‘authorised testing facilities’ or ‘ATFs’).
The tests are still carried out by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) assessors.
There are different fees for tests done at DVSA test centres, buses and coaches approval tests and HGV and trailer tests.
Check which type of fee applies
The fee will depend on:
- test type
- how many passengers your vehicle can hold
Service charge for using an ATF
The ATF can charge you a service fee (sometimes called a pit fee) for using their facilities. The maximum they can charge you is £70.
MOT tests (also known as an ‘annual test’)
HGVs, buses and coaches, and trailers must be tested each year. The first test should be 12 months after the vehicle was first registered with DVLA.
Find out how the MOT for HGV, buses and trailers works.
In this section:
Buses and coaches
In this section:
Vehicles that hold up to 22 passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £103 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £39 | 25 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £103 | 45 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £12 | 15 minutes |
Add 5 minutes to the average test length for vehicles with seatbelts.
Vehicles that hold 23 or more passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £128 | 55 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £56 | 30 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £128 | 55 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £12 | 15 minutes |
Add the following to the average MOT test length:
- 5 minutes for vehicles with seatbelts and fewer than 50 seats
- 10 minutes for vehicles with seatbelts and 50 seats or more
- 10 minutes for articulated vehicles
Public service vehicles with additional seatbelts (Class 6A vehicles)
A public service vehicle (PSV) is classed as 6A if it’s fitted with more seat belts than the minimum required because of its construction and either:
- was not fitted with type-approved seat belt installations when it was built
- has never had a class 6A test with at least the same number of seat belts as currently fitted
These vehicles need additional seat belt checks.
In this section:
Vehicles that hold up to 22 passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £103 | 60 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £39 | 25 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £103 | 60 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £12 | 15 minutes |
Add 5 minutes to the average MOT test length if it’s the vehicle’s first test.
Vehicles that hold 23 or more passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £128 | 90 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £56 | 30 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £128 | 90 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £12 | 15 minutes |
Add 5 minutes to the average MOT test length if it’s the vehicle’s first test.
Prohibition removal
The police and DVSA have the power to carry out spot checks on your vehicle and issue prohibitions if necessary. A prohibition prevents you from driving until you get a problem with your vehicle fixed.
You have to have your vehicle inspected to remove the prohibitions. Depending on how serious the faults are, your vehicle might need a:
- full inspection - this is the same as a full MOT test
- partial inspection - only the items that were prohibited are tested, as well as some safety-critical items such as brakes and steering
If your vehicle doesn’t pass the inspection you should add 5 minutes to the average test length to allow for completion of paperwork.
In this section:
Buses and coaches
In this section:
Vehicles that hold up to 22 passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £103 | 50 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £39 | 30 minutes |
Vehicles that hold 23 or more passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £128 | 70 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £56 | 35 minutes |
Public service vehicles with additional seatbelts (Class 6A vehicles)
A PSV is classed as 6A if it’s fitted with more seat belts than the minimum required because of its construction and either:
- was not fitted with type-approved seat belt installations when it was built
- has never had a class 6A test with at least the same number of seat belts as currently fitted
These vehicles need additional seat belt checks.
In this section:
Vehicles that hold up to 22 passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £103 | 90 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £39 | 45 minutes |
Vehicles that hold 23 or more passengers
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £128 | 100 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £56 | 45 minutes |
Voluntary tests and checks
Voluntary roadworthiness test
In this section:
2-axle vehicle
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £78.60 | £15.72 | £94.32 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £52.40 | £10.48 | £62.88 | 30 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £78.60 | £15.72 | £94.32 | 45 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £18.49 | £3.70 | £22.19 | 15 minutes |
3-axle vehicle
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £93.76 | £18.75 | £112.51 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £73.97 | £14.80 | £88.77 | 30 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £93.76 | £18.75 | £112.51 | 30 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £18.49 | £3.70 | £22.19 | 15 minutes |
4-axle vehicle
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £147.96 | £29.59 | £177.55 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £97.10 | £19.42 | £116.52 | 30 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £147.96 | £29.59 | £177.55 | 30 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £18.49 | £3.70 | £22.19 | 15 minutes |
Voluntary checks
In this section:
2-axle vehicle
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake test | £20.49 | £4.10 | £24.59 | 10 minutes |
| Smoke test | £13.26 | £2.65 | £15.91 | 5 minutes |
| Headlamp aim check | £12.07 | £2.41 | £14.48 | 10 minutes |
| Multi-check (headlamp aim, smoke and brake test) | £39.79 | £7.96 | £47.75 | 20 minutes |
3-axle vehicle
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake test | £22.91 | £4.58 | £27.49 | 15 minutes |
| Smoke test | £13.26 | £2.65 | £15.91 | 5 minutes |
| Headlamp aim check | £12.07 | £2.41 | £14.48 | 10 minutes |
| Multi-check (headlamp aim, smoke and brake test) | £39.79 | £7.96 | £47.75 | 20 minutes |
Appeals
You can appeal a bus, coach or other PSV MOT if you think it’s wrong.
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Appeal | £163 |
DVSA will refund your fee if your appeal is successful.
Replacement certificates
You can apply to get replacement bus or coach test certificate if the originals have been lost, stolen or defaced.
| Document type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Test certificate | £10 |
| Certificate of initial fitness | £23 |
| Certificate of fitness | £23 |
| Certificate of conformity | £23 |
| Accessibility certificate | £13 |
| Conformity certificate | £13 |
| Carrying capacity authorisation | Free |
Notifiable alterations
You must tell DVSA if you make changes to either vehicle specification or plating details.
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Notifiable alterations | £27 | 40 minutes |
Add the 20 minutes to the average test length for vehicles that need:
- centre door removal
- additional wheelchair spaces (on a non DDA vehicle)
- a change to seating capacity (on vehicles with standing passengers)
Low emissions certificate
You can get your vehicle tested for a low emissions certificate (LEC). This lets you drive in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) without paying.
| When the test is done | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| With an MOT | £18 | 10 minutes added to MOT time |
| Separately from an MOT | £30 | 10 minutes |