You’re responsible for planning and doing your training. You must keep a record of your training. You can train on your own or in a group by: studying MOT inspection manuals, special notices and the testing guide discussing what you’re learning with another tester (or group of testers) demonstrating what you’re learning to another tester learning from a more experienced tester You can also book a training course through one of these providers: ABC Awards City & Guilds Institute of the Motor Industry Check with the provider for the cost. What you need to study The topics you need to study depend on whether you test class 1 and 2 vehicles (‘group A’) or class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles (‘group B’). Some topics are studied by both groups. Group A (class 1 and 2 vehicles) If you test vehicles in group A, you need to know about: how to issue MOT certificates, failure documents and other documents the disciplinary points system which vehicle categories fall under group A the MOT inspection manual for motorcycles and sidecars Group B (class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles) If you test vehicles in group B, you need to know about: how to issue MOT certificates, failure documents and other documents the disciplinary points system which vehicle categories fall under group B the MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles Groups A and B If you test vehicles in both group A and group B, you need to study all the topics. You also need to train for at least 6 hours a year (instead of 3) and take 2 annual assessments. Keeping a record of your training You have to keep records for 5 years. You’ll need to record: the MOT annual training year (for example April 2020 to March 2021) the date of the training how long the training session lasted what topics you covered during the session notes on what you did, how you did it and what you learned what vehicle groups your training covered your name and MOT testing service user ID You can use a template to record your training .

Taking your assessment

You can have your assessment at any point in the year, if you’ve done your training. Book your assessment through one of these providers: ABC awards Institute of the Motor Industry You have to pay for the assessment - check the cost with the provider. What happens at the assessment You take the assessment online, for example at home or at the provider. The test is 30 multiple-choice questions. It usually takes around 1 hour. Read examples of the types of questions you’ll be asked . You can use your notes and the MOT inspection manual during the assessment. After your assessment The pass mark for May 2020 to March 2021 is 80%. You get a certificate if you pass your assessment. Keep it with your training record. If you do not pass, there’s no limit on how many times you can take the assessment during the same year. You must stop carrying out MOT tests if you have not passed by the end of the training year. Your MOT testing account will be suspended. If you do not pass your assessment in the training year You’ll need to do the training and pass the annual assessment on the next year’s topics. For example, if you did not pass the 2019 to 2020 assessment you will need to pass the 2020 to 2021 assessment. Once you’ve passed, you need to request and pass an MOT demonstration test. Your account will then be unsuspended. MOT demonstration tests are not taking place because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You can still email DVSA to request an MOT demonstration test. DVSA will contact you when testing restarts. You’ll need to include: your MOT testing service user ID the MOT centre number of where you want to take the test DVSA customer services enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk If you’ve carried out an MOT test in the last 12 months, DVSA will unsuspend your account and you’ll be able to do MOT tests again if you do the training and pass the 2020 to 2021 assessment. You will not need to do a demonstration test. Email DVSA if you’ve carried out an MOT test in the last 12 months and have passed the 2020 to 2021 assessment, including: your MOT testing service user ID a copy of your certificate and training record your MOT centre number

MOT tester training and annual assessments

Staying qualified as an MOT tester

You must complete training and pass an assessment between April and March every year.

This year’s deadline has been extended because of coronavirus (COVID-19). If you qualified after 1 May 2020, you do not need to start training or do your annual assessment until after 1 April 2021.

Your MOT tester status will be suspended if you do not pass the annual assessment.

What you need to do

Do at least 3 hours of training each year and 16 hours in 5 years.
Keep a record of your training.
Book and take your assessment.

If you pass the assessment, you’ll get a certificate. You can check if your certificate has been uploaded in the ‘Annual assessment certificates’ section of your MOT testing service profile. Contact your training provider if it’s not been recorded correctly.

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MOT tester training and annual assessments

Staying qualified as an MOT tester

What you need to do

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MOT tester training and annual assessments

Staying qualified as an MOT tester

What you need to do

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