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Run a vehicle approval test centre

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published
24 June 2026
Updated:
24 June 2026 - See all updates

1. About vehicle approval test centres

The vehicles that can be tested, types of tests, and the requirements for your site and testing area.

1.1. Vehicles that can be tested

Vehicle approval test centres (sometimes called vehicle examination facilities or  VEFs) can carry out:   

  • individual vehicle approval (IVA) tests 
  • motorcycle single vehicle approval (MSVA) tests

They can test vehicles that have been: 

  • built 
  • rebuilt 
  • radically altered 
  • reconstructed from a classic vehicle 
  • imported 
  • modified

You’ll provide the premises and DVSA will provide you with examiners to carry out the tests.

Vehicle categories

Your centre can get approved to test:

  • motorcycles (2, 3, and 4 wheeled) (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7)
  • passenger cars (M1)
  • buses and coaches (M2 and M3)
  • light goods vehicles (up to 3,500kgs) (N1)
  • heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kgs) (N2 and N3)
  • light and heavy trailers (O1, O2, O3 and O4)

1.2. Site requirements

Your site must be weatherproof and have:

  • planning permission to be used as a test centre
  • an insurance policy with a suitable excess
  • a health and safety policy in place
  • unobstructed access from its entrance to the entrance of the building which contains the test bay
  • access from a suitable road
  • communication equipment and office space that DVSA staff can use
  • a stable wifi connection for DVSA staff to use

1.3. Testing area requirements

Your testing area must have:

  • a flat and level floor
  • space suitable to test the category, size and type of vehicles you wish to test
  • a minimum of at least 1.5m between any vehicle entrance and exit door and the pit or any fixed equipment
  • adequate ventilation or a system to stop the build-up of exhaust fumes
  • an effective microphone and speaker system so you can communicate with DVSA staff or customers during the test if you need to
  • a stable wifi connection for DVSA staff to use throughout the testing area

1.4. Testing equipment requirements 

You need to have approved testing equipment for the class of vehicles you want to test.

You must have English operating instructions for all equipment. You must be able to provide the operating instructions to DVSA examiners if requested.