Appendix 2: Facilities and security
The facilities and security needed to carry out MOT testing, signs and notices, maintaining and calibrating testing equipment, documentation, IT and associated equipment, the MOT security code.
The following information supplements the requirements set out in the appropriate requirements for authorisation.
The three triangles MOT sign detailed in ‘The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 11, diagram 864’ must be displayed in a prominent position, no part higher than 4.5m from the ground and no more than one sign on each road frontage.
The business trading name as described within either the Companies Act 2006 or the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 is displayed conspicuously and legibly.
A notice board must be installed with a protective transparent covering which must be positioned inside the vehicle testing station so that DVSA notices can be easily read by any persons intending to or submitting vehicles for test.
The MOT notice board must not be obscured or be inaccessible and must be of sufficient size to accommodate at least one A3 fees poster (landscape) and one certificate of authorisation (A4 portrait) and must not be used for any other purpose other than official DVSA MOT notices and company public liability insurance and certificates of incorporation.
If the notice board displays both MOT and business documents, there must be clear and distinct separation between the MOT documents and any documents not related to MOT testing.
All authorised examiners (AEs) must also display:
- the certificate of authorisation (VT9) issued by DVSA
- the current fees and appeals poster (form VT9A) showing vehicle classes, test fees and appeals procedure and the details of how to contact DVSA
The current fees and appeals poster may be displayed adjacent to the ‘official’ notice board if it will not fit on the notice board proper. Additional copies of this poster can be obtained online.
The MOT list of acceptable equipment lists the various makes and models of test equipment that have a measuring capability, such as headlamp aim testers and brake testers. The suitability of other test equipment is individually assessed at each VTS.
Find MOT equipment approved by DVSA.
Equipment maintenance, calibration and records
All testing equipment must be kept in good order and measuring apparatus must be calibrated regularly in accordance with DVSA’s requirements. In all cases calibration records must be kept for a minimum of two years.
In the case where the serial number of the equipment cannot be found the VTS should make up a number, which identifies the equipment, and mark the equipment accordingly. Where a VTS uses an item of test equipment that is awaiting approval, the AE should contact DVSA for advice.
The AE is required to ensure that calibrations are carried out when required. For roller brake testers (RBTs), plate brake testers (PBTs), automated test lane (ATL) weighing facility, motorcycle weighing equipment (where applicable) and headlamp aim testers, the calibration expiry date will be taken as the month end date. For example, a certificate showing an expiry date of 15 July 2024 will be taken as 31 July 2024. See Roller and plate brake testers, ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities, and headlamp aim testers’
RBTs, PBTs, weighing equipment and headlamp aim testers can be calibrated anytime during the six months following its last date of calibration. The equipment is then considered calibrated until the end of the 6th month.
Failure to recalibrate by the due date will prevent testing of any vehicle that requires the use of that item of test equipment. In exceptional circumstances, beyond the AE’s control, where the calibration cannot be carried out by the due date the site manager (SM) should notify DVSA. DVSA may extend the calibration period in order to allow testing to continue.
Testing must also stop if any mandatory item malfunctions in a way that could prevent a test being properly conducted. Testing must not be resumed until the equipment has been properly repaired. If equipment fails during a test but before its use has been completed, the test must be aborted and any fee paid returned.
Maintenance periods
All equipment must be maintained in good working order at all times.
In the case of ATL or one person test lane (OPTL), maintenance periods for steering and suspension play detectors is a minimum of:
- 6 months for pneumatic equipment
- 12 months for hydraulic equipment
Maintenance must be conducted by the manufacturer or manufacturer’s agent and a maintenance report issued detailing any remedial work conducted.
A signed and dated declaration that the equipment is in good working order must be issued after the maintenance has been completed.
Portable appliance testing
Under Health and Safety legislation (including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998), employers are responsible for the inspecting and testing of all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.
Among other things, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations require that equipment provided for use at work is safe, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case.
In particular, the Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers and employees to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment.
It is therefore the responsibility of AEs to ensure that all electrical equipment used on their premises, has been tested to ensure that it poses no risk to health and safety.
Further information on PAT, including leaflets, can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive
Frequency and location of calibration
Equipment should be calibrated as follows.
Exhaust gas analysers
The user should make a daily leak check on the hose and probe. Most machines have an automatic facility for doing this. If not, a physical check of the hose and probe must be carried out to confirm that there are no leaks.
Depending on the make or type, exhaust gas analysers must be calibrated every 3, 6 or 12 months. This must be carried out according to the approved procedure by a recognised calibration technician only. An exhaust gas analyser must be calibrated with a certified calibration gas and when the ambient temperature is above 5°C.
Gas analysers cannot be properly calibrated if the mains AC voltage is less than 204V or more than 264V.
Roller brake testers, plate brake testers, ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities, headlamp aim testers
RBTs, PBTs, ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities, and headlamp aim testers can be calibrated anytime during the six months following its last date of calibration. The equipment is then considered calibrated until the end of the 6th month. Where the calibration certificate only states the month and year of expiry, the last day of that month should be taken as the calibration expiry date.
The requirement for motorcycle weighing equipment to be calibrated only applies to sites approved to the November 2009 Requirements for Authorisation.
Decelerometers
Decelerometers calibrated prior to 1 April 2023 must be calibrated at intervals not exceeding 2 years.
From 1 April 2023 decelerometers must be calibrated at intervals not exceeding 1 year.
Decelerometers may only be calibrated by:
- the manufacturer
- a calibrator accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)
Salter brake testers
Salter brake testers must be calibrated at intervals not exceeding 2 years.
Salter meters can be done by:
- the manufacturer’s local depot if available
- a firm that has taken over responsibility for equipment support from the manufacturer
- a calibration specialist
- a local trading standards office
Tyre tread depth gauges
Tyre tread depth gauges require a periodic accuracy check at least every 6 months. This can be done by placing the base foot onto a flat surface, such as a window glass, and checking that the zero datum’s align.
AEs are to keep a separate record showing the date of the accuracy check.
Diesel smoke meters
Diesel smoke meters should be checked by the user every week.
They should be calibrated every 12 months by a technician accredited by UKAS.
Calibration personnel
Equipment may be calibrated on site only by the following personnel.
Exhaust gas analysers and diesel smoke meters
Exhaust gas analysers and diesel smoke meters should be calibrated by a technician accredited by UKAS. There are two exceptions:
-
equipment (non-catalyst or catalyst) with an approved automatic monthly self-gassing facility requires a 12 monthly UKAS calibration with monthly calibrations which may be performed by VTS staff
-
non-catalyst OIML Class 1 equipment with an approved self-gassing facility requires a 6 monthly UKAS calibration with an intermediate calibration which may be performed by VTS staff
Roller brake testers, plate brake testers and headlamp aim testers
RBTs, PBTs and headlamp aim testers must be calibrated by either:
- the original manufacturer
- firm that has taken over responsibility for equipment support from the manufacturer
- a calibration specialist
ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities
ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities should be calibrated by either:
- the original manufacturer
- a company which has taken over responsibility for equipment support from the manufacturer
- a calibration specialist
Calibration is only required for motorcycle weighing facilities for sites approved to the November 2009 Requirements for Authorisation.
Independent calibrators
VTSs employing calibration specialists must satisfy themselves of the technical competence and viability of the company concerned and be able to demonstrate this to DVSA upon request. .
Documentation
In cases where a VTS employs either the manufacturer or a calibration specialist, there must be a written contract and the test station must obtain a certificate for each calibration.
All certificates must contain:
- a certificate serial number
- details of the equipment, including make, model and serial number
- title and address of calibration company or agency
- signature of calibrator and date of calibration
- smoke meter and gas analyser calibration certificates shall meet the UKAS and DVSA standard agreed
Calibration certificates must include a record of the test load, gauge readings and percentage error. Calibration results may be recorded in kgf or the equivalent in imperial lbs.
Retention
Calibration records must be readily retrievable and be kept for a minimum of two years. Calibration records may be retained digitally or as a hardcopy.
Exhaust gas analysers certificates
Calibration certificates for exhaust gas analysers are normally valid for 3, 6 or 12 months from the date of issue. However, if the certificate is issued no more than 14 days before the expiry of an existing certificate, then the expiry date may be 3, 6 or 12 months from the date of expiry of the old certificate.
Roller brake tester and plate brake tester certificates
Certificates for RBTs and PBTs must include a record of the test load, gauge readings and percentage error. The following limits apply in both forward and reverse operation as applicable.
Some older roller brake testers were approved to different calibration values to those listed. To accept any different values, evidence must have been supplied in the manufacturer’s original operating instructions.
Minimum values for roller brake testers
The minimum values for roller brake testers are as follows.
Class 1 and 2
If approved before 1 July 1996, the minimum values are:
- 30kgf (66lb)
- 100kgf (220lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
If approved from 1 July 1996 onwards, the minimum values are:
- 0
- 50kgf (110lb)
- 100kgf (220lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
- 300kgf (660lb)
Class 3 and 4
If approved before 1 July 1996, the minimum values are:
- 100kgf (220lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
- 400kgf (880lb)
- 500kgf (1100lb)
If approved from 1 July 1996 onwards, the minimum values are:
- 0
- 100 kgf (220lb)
- 200 kgf (440lb)
- 400 kgf (880lb)
- 600kgf to 800kgf (1320kgf to 1760lb)
Class 5 (all equipment)
For low range, the minimum values are:
- 0
- 100kgf (200lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
- 400kgf (880lb)
- 600kgf to 800kgf (1320lb to 1760lb)
For high range, the minimum values are:
- 0
- 1200kgf to 1500kgf (2640lb to 3300lb)
- 2000kgf to 2500kgf (4400lb to 5500lb)
- 3500kgf to 4000kgf (7700lb to 8800lb)
Class 7 (all equipment)
The minimum values are:
- 0
- 200kgf (440lb)
- 400kgf (880lb)
- 600kgf to 800kgf (1320lb to 1760lb)
- 1200kgf to 1500kgf (2640lb to 3300lb)
Minimum values for plate brake testers
The minimum values for plate brake testers are as follows.
Class 1 and 2 (all equipment)
The minimum values are:
- 0
- 30kgf (66lb)
- 100kgf (220lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
Class 3 and 4 all equipment
The minimum values are:
- 0
- 30kgf (66lb)
- 100kgf (220lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
- 600kgf (1320lb)
Class 7 all equipment
The minimum values are:
- 0
- 100kgf (200lb)
- 200kgf (440lb)
- 600kgf (1320lb)
- 1000kgf (2200lb)
Accuracy of brake force readings
Brake force readings shall be accurate to within:
-
+/- 3 kgf (6.6 lb) of the true value from zero up to and including 100kgf
-
+/- 3% of the true value for all readings above 1000kgf
Calibration certificates for brake testers are to contain the following (or similar) statement: “This is to certify that the above brake test equipment has been calibrated and is within the limits specified by DVSA”.
ATL weighing facility
Certificates must include a record of the test load, gauge readings and percentage error.
Accuracy to within +/- 3% between 200kg and 3000kg imposed weight traceable to an acceptable quality standard.
Calibration certificates for brake testers and ATL weighing facility are to contain the following (or similar) statement: “This is to certify that the above brake test equipment has been calibrated and is within the limits specified by DVSA”.
Headlamp aim testers
Calibration certificates for headlamp aim testers are to contain the following (or similar) statement: “This is to certify that the above headlamp aim testing equipment has been checked and is in correct alignment with the vehicle standing area”.
Diesel smoke meter
Smoke meters are to be calibrated every 12 months. Calibration certificates are normally valid for 12 months from the date of issue. However, if the certificate is issued no more than one month before the expiry of an existing certificate then the expiry date may be 12 months from the expiry of the old certificate.
A new diesel smoke meter should be supplied with an initial calibration certificate in one of two forms.
It may have a certificate of conformity issued by a BSI/ISO registered company, the meter will have been calibrated as a part of the in-house quality control procedure. It will carry the BSI and/or ISO logos, and will be dated. Within six months of the issue of a Certificate of Conformity a new meter must be calibrated by a UKAS accredited engineer.
You may find that some new smoke meters have very little time left to run with this type of certificate when delivered.
Alternatively, it may have a UKAS calibration certificate issued immediately prior to or following delivery by a UKAS Accredited Engineer. Like all other UKAS issued calibration certificates on diesel smoke meters a new meter must be calibrated by a UKAS Accredited Engineer within twelve months of the issue of this certificate.
If you have any questions regarding the certification of a smoke meter, contact the manufacturer or their agent.
Motorcycle weighing facility
Certificates must include a record of the test load, gauge readings and percentage error.
Accuracy should be within +/- 3%.
Calibration certificates for weighing facility are to contain the following (or similar) statement: “This is to certify that the above weighing facility has been calibrated and is within the limits specified by DVSA”.
Authorised examiners are responsible for the supply and maintenance of all IT equipment and internet connection used for MOT testing purposes.
PC, iMac and Laptops
The MOT testing service is designed to run on most recent Windows and Mac OS computers and laptops with:
- a 1GHz processor
- 512MB system memory
- 20GB hard drive space
- 1024 by 768 screen resolution or above
- a network cable socket (RJ45) or Wi-Fi
MOT testing service is designed to run on any tablet with screen sizes of 9 inches and above (measured diagonally across the screen).
MOT testing service works on internet connections of 0.5Mbps (512 Kbps) and above.
The internet connection may be via fixed line, 3G, 4G, 5G or satellite.
Browser requirements
A suitable browser is required to view MOT testing service website. One of the following browsers will need to be installed on your device to use MOT Testing Service:
- Chrome (latest version) - supplied by Google and can be used on either Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android
- Firefox (latest version) - supplied by Mozilla and can be used on either Windows or MacOS
- Edge (latest versions) - supplied by Microsoft with its latest IT equipment
- Safari 12 and later - supplied by Apple with its latest IT equipment
- Safari for iOS 12.1 and later - supplied by Apple with its latest mobile equipment
- Samsung Internet (latest version) - can be used on Android operating systems
Printer requirements
An A4 black and white printer is required to print MOT certificates and other documents from the MOT testing service.
All printer consumables, such as paper and ink, are provided by the AE/VTS.
MOT security code
All MOT testing service users with a role assigned to their MOT testing service profile need to enter a security code when signing into MOT testing service. Security codes generated by authentication app or email will be required once a day if the sign in details remain the same.
The 6 digit security code is generated by either:
Authentication app
Users will use an authentication app installed on their personal smart phone or tablet. This app will be linked to their MOT testing service profile. The app automatically generates the security code and is entered into MOT testing service when required as part of the sign in process
MOT testing service will send a security code to the users unique email address recorded on their MOT testing service profile. A new code is sent when required and is entered as part of the sign in process
Security card
The card generates a new 6 digit code when pressed. A new code is required each time a user signs into MOT testing service. Card holders must not write their user ID or password on the card. Security cards are no longer issued or replaced
Complaints concerning MOT testing service should be made in the first instance via the MOT testing service desk. If the complaint is not resolved the AE should contact the DVSA customer service centre.
Contact DVSA service desk
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0330 123 5654
Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm (excluding Bank holidays)
Saturday 8am to 2pm
Contact DVSA customer service centre
enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Find out about call charges