Appendix 1: MOT management training
The training you'll need to be an MOT manager, when you'll need to complete the training, why you may need to retrain, how to apply for MOT manager training, what is covered in the course and how it's assessed, what happens if an MOT manager leaves an their role.
Trained AE principal (AEP)
Each AE must have one AEP or more who has attained a Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management or have attended the previously named MOT Managers course or Authorised Examiners course.
This course covers testing responsibilities, administrative arrangements, disciplinary and appeal processes. The course is designed to help the AE to fully understand their responsibilities within the MOT Service and the function that is carried out by the AEDM.
If the application to become an AE is from an individual they must attend the course.
If the application is from a partnership, the partner who will exercise the most direct control over all MOT testing operations must attend the course.
If the application is from a company, the director or an officer of the company having the most direct responsibility for all MOT testing operations at all sites, must attend the course.
If the application is from a designated council, then a senior council officer having direct responsibility for all MOT testing operations must be the one to attend the course.
Trained AE designated manager (AEDM)
Each AEDM must attain a Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management or have attended the previously named MOT Managers course or Authorised Examiners course.
Typically, the AEDM would be a person from within the AE, however it may also be a senior manager who has responsibility for testing across the entire AE.
Normally, training must be completed before the authorisation can be granted.
In cases where a new authorisation becomes necessary only because a business undergoes one of the changes indicated below, the authorisation can be granted before training has taken place, provided that a suitable person is trained within 35 working days of the change. Failure to complete the necessary training within the specified period will result in cessation. These changes are:
- a sole trader takes on a partner or forms a company of which they are a director
- a partnership splits up, but an untrained partner continues the business as a sole trader
- a partnership splits up, but one untrained partner continues in a new partnership or as a director of a company the same would apply if more than one of the untrained partners stayed with the new partnership or company
- a partnership that had originally applied for authorisation before 1 April 1995, and therefore did not need to have a trained person, is reconstituted by the addition or departure of one partner or more and therefore is now required to have a trained person in the partnership
- a receiver or manager ‘of the body’s undertaking’ is appointed for a company
With two exceptions the training is valid indefinitely.
If the AE is subject to cessation
When an AE has been subject to cessation for disciplinary reasons, the AEDM for that AE may be required to attend a further course before again being acceptable as a trained person. If the AEDM is judged to have been directly involved in the incident leading to cessation then retraining will be mandatory.
If the AE is given a formal warning
When an AE is given a formal warning under DVSA’s disciplinary procedures, the AEDM for that AE may be required to attend a further course within 35 working days of the date that the AE is notified of the disciplinary action.
A Level 3 Award in MOT test centre management course is booked with a training provider. There is a charge for the course, which varies and is set by the individual course provider.
Find an MOT tester or manager course.
Applicants on the MOT test centre management course must supply photographic identification on attendance at the course.
The course will cover the responsibilities of an AE and knowledge, skills and responsibilities of becoming an MOT manager. It lasts at least 16 hours and has 4 parts which cover:
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how to manage the legislative and compliance requirements of a vehicle test centre
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how to deal with customer service problems within a vehicle test centre
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how to develop and supervise staff within a vehicle test centre
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vehicle test centre quality system and quality audit
Assessments in the course
The course also includes a multiple-choice question test, which must be passed in order to qualify.
The course provider will provide further information on the content and structure of their course.
If a trained MOT manager ceases to perform the AEDM role within an authorisation testing may continue provided that a new AEDM is notified to DVSA and training is then completed within 35 working days of the previous AEDM’s departure. If by the end of that period the company does not have a trained MOT Manager, testing must cease and may not restart until the appropriate person has been trained.
Under the regulations a company’s authorisation ceases if “a receiver or manager of the body’s undertaking is appointed” (for simplicity this person will be referred to hereafter as ‘the receiver’). DVSA tries in such circumstances to authorise the receiver as quickly as possible to minimise the upset.
Should the receiver not have attended an MOT managers course, this will not delay their authorisation provided that the receiver (or in the case of large organisations, a senior member of the receiver’s team) completes the MOT managers course within 35 working days of the new authorisation being granted.