You can book an MOT for your heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or trailer at a private test centre, known as an authorised test facility ( ATF ). Find your nearest ATF to get their contact details and book a test. Book an MOT in Scotland if there’s no ATF near you Call the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) to book an MOT at a DVSA test station. You can book a test for single or multiple vehicles up to 93 days ahead. You’ll need: vehicle registration number or trailer identification number vehicle make and model type of heavy goods vehicle (articulated or rigid) and the number of axles type and number of axles of any trailers for public service vehicles ( PSVs ), the number of passengers it can carry a debit or credit card, or prefunded account number DVSA vehicle testing 0300 123 9000 Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm Find out about call charges Cancelling or changing a booking at a DVSA test station To cancel or change your booking, you’ll need the order reference number you were given when the original booking was made, for example 1-212101212, before you call. You must cancel within 3 working days of a test or you’ll lose your fee. Working days are Monday to Friday except bank holidays.

Fees for the annual test vary depending on the size and type of your vehicle. You can download the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s ( DVSA ’s) current annual test, re-test and appeals fees for goods vehicles and for public service vehicles . Fees may be different in Northern Ireland .

Bring the following documents to the test station: your appointment letter if you have one the vehicle’s plating certificate if your vehicle is exempt - a tachograph exemption form You’ll need to drive your own vehicle during the test unless otherwise asked. You should arrive 10 minutes before the test time. Horseboxes You should load the horsebox with heavy items like bags of feed, fertiliser or straw bales. This is so that the centre can check the brakes work properly. Tell the test station about any changes you’ve made to the horsebox since its last test. There is more information about testing standards for horseboxes in the guide for horsebox and trailer owners . Repairs If an inspector thinks minor repairs are needed to your vehicle and they can be done quickly and safely you may be allowed to do so, but only if it does not delay the testing of other vehicles Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) staff cannot provide tools or materials or help with repairs. Passing the test If your vehicle passes the MOT, your result will be recorded in the MOT database. You can: check your MOT history to see the result online ask the test centre to give you a printed MOT certificate Failing the test If your vehicle fails the annual test you’ll have to take it away and get the faults fixed. Unlike with an MOT, most centres will not be able to make the repairs for you. Once they’re made you’ll have to book another test and pay a retest fee. Major faults Some faults are so serious that the vehicle cannot be allowed on the road. In this case, the inspector may allow on-site emergency repairs. If you disagree with a test result You might be able to change your test result. You’ll need to explain why you disagree. You can either: talk to the assessor at the test station when you get your result contact DVSA if the assessor is not available or you leave the testing station after you get the result You need to contact DVSA within 2 working days of getting your result. HGV, bus or trailer MOT complaints technicalofficers@dvsa.gov.uk Appeals You can appeal if you’ve tried to change your test result and you still disagree with it. You need to submit an appeal form within 14 days of the test: form VTG17 for HGV and trailer annual tests form VTP17 for PSV annual tests Send the appeal to the address on the form or to the test station that carried out the test. You’ll also need to pay an appeal fee .

Get an MOT for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or trailer

Overview

You need to get an HGV, bus or trailer MOT (also known as an ‘annual test’) for:

goods vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3,500 kilograms (kg)
vehicles that are built or have been adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle
semi-trailers
horseboxes with a gross weight of more than 3,500kg
‘A’ frame trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after 1 January 1979
trailers with an unladen weight of more than 1,020kg with powered braking systems (instead of standard overrun brakes and as well as the required parking brake)
all public service vehicles (such as buses and coaches) with more than 8 passenger seats - not including the driver’s seat

Check Form V112/G for a list of vehicles that are exempt from the HGV MOT. You still might need to get a standard MOT for the vehicle.

MOT due dates

HGVs and buses (including coaches) usually must be tested each year. The first test should be 12 months after the vehicle was first registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Trailers must usually be tested one year after they were first sold or supplied.

Before the test

You can get your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic to prepare for the test.

Get testing manuals for different vehicles.

You can also download a guide on how to check the roadworthiness of horseboxes and trailers.

How to clean your vehicle

You must clean the inside of your vehicle before your test.

This means:

tidying unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets and seats
wiping down the dashboard, doors and vehicle controls

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if the vehicle is not clean.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Get an MOT for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or trailer

Overview

MOT due dates

Before the test

How to clean your vehicle

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Cookies on GOV.UK

Get an MOT for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or trailer

Overview

MOT due dates

Before the test

How to clean your vehicle

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK