Roadside vehicle checks for commercial drivers

Checks on your vehicle

As a commercial driver, you might be asked to stop by the police or a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officer. They can stop vans, lorries, buses and coaches.

The police and DVSA have the power to carry out spot checks on your vehicle and issue prohibitions if necessary. A prohibition prevents you from driving until you get a problem with your vehicle fixed.

Police and DVSA officers can also issue fixed penalties if you commit an offence. Some of these are graduated depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the offence.

It’s your responsibility to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy.

How to recognise a DVSA officer

DVSA officers wear yellow visibility jackets with either the VOSA or DVSA logo, and they’ll always carry a DVSA warrant card.

Their vehicles are marked with a black and yellow print on the side and either a VOSA or DVSA logo on the bonnet.

What happens when you’re stopped

The checks are carried out either at the roadside or at dedicated testing sites. The checks are used to keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

The officer checks that the vehicle is not breaking any rules and regulations. This includes:

checking authorised load weights and type of load permitted

checking vehicles for roadworthiness and mechanical faults

looking at your tachograph records

making sure you have a valid occupational driving licence

Your vehicle could be impounded if you commit a series of serious offences.

Foreign-registered vehicles are subject to the same rules as vehicles registered in the UK.

If you’re carrying a high-value load you can keep your engine running, doors locked and windows closed until you’re sure you’ve been stopped by a genuine police or DVSA officer.

If you do not stop

Not stopping when asked to by a uniformed officer is an offence. The incident will be officially recorded and you’ll be interviewed later on.

You may then face court action or be reported to the Traffic Commissioner, who may remove or suspend your operator’s licence.

Making sure your vehicle is roadworthy

You’re responsible for maintaining the roadworthiness of your vehicle. This will help avoid problems with vehicle checks.

Driver responsibilities

You must ensure your vehicle is safe to drive before setting off on a journey. You should carry out a walkaround check of the vehicle before your journey and check the:

lights

tyres

wheel fixings

bodywork

trailer coupling

load and other equipment

Download guidance for walkaround checks for public service vehicle (PSV) and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.

You’re also responsible for reporting any defects in writing to whoever’s in charge of sorting out vehicle defects in your organisation. Reports should include the:

vehicle registration or identification mark

date of inspection

details of the defects

name of the person reporting the defects

Operator responsibilities

You must carry out safety inspections before you use a vehicle for the first time - even if you’re just leasing, hiring or borrowing the vehicle.

You must also:

make sure there are regular safety inspections

give drivers clear written instructions of their responsibilities so they understand what they should do

have a system to ensure that non-roadworthy vehicles are taken out of service

Safety inspections must be carried out by trained inspectors with a good knowledge of the appropriate Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) inspection manuals.

Roadside prohibitions

You could be given a prohibition by a police officer or an officer from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). You could either get an immediate or delayed prohibition, depending on how dangerous your vehicle is before the faults are fixed.

Immediate prohibition

It’s likely your vehicle will be immobilised and you will not be able to drive it if you get a prohibition that comes into effect immediately. You could also be prosecuted.

Delayed prohibition

If you get a prohibition with a delayed effect, you’ll be able to drive your vehicle away and the operator will have up to 10 days to get it fixed. It will then need to be reinspected and the prohibition removed before it can be used on the road again.

Types of prohibition

Make sure you give the prohibition notice to the vehicle operator and owner. They’ll find details of how to clear it on the back.

Overload prohibition notice

If your vehicle is overloaded then you will be issued with an immediate prohibition notice and your vehicle may be immobilised. Examiners can also direct the vehicle to somewhere nearby, where the load can be redistributed or removed.

A copy of the notice is sent to the owner or operator of the vehicle.

Roadworthiness prohibition (PG9)

This is given for mechanical problems or for the condition of a vehicle’s bodywork and equipment. It could have an immediate or delayed effect depending on how severe the defect is.

DVSA has published a list of defects explaining whether immediate or delayed prohibitions are issued.

‘S’ marked roadworthiness prohibition

This is given when the examiner believes a severe defect is due to significant breakdown in the vehicle’s maintenance procedures.

You would not get this type of prohibition for defects you cannot have known about before your journey, eg:

a problem that could have occurred during the journey

a problem you could not reasonably have been expected to have noticed (for example an underside defect)

You could get an ‘S’ marked prohibition if the examiner believes there’s been a significant breakdown in the maintenance procedures agreed as part of the operator’s licence.

The prohibition can start immediately and you or the operator could be prosecuted. DVSA will follow up with an assessment of the operator’s maintenance procedures.

Variation of roadworthiness prohibition

You could get this if an immediate problem with your vehicle has been temporarily or permanently fixed at the roadside but others remain.

It means you can return to your operating centre or garage to permanently repair the initial problem and other faults.

You might get a different type of prohibition notice.

Drivers’ hours prohibition

You get this if you have not followed the rules for drivers’ hours and tachographs.

You’ll usually get a fine - but you could also be prosecuted or have your vehicle immobilised.

Hazchem prohibition

This is given when a problem with carrying dangerous goods is found. Fixing the problem is usually enough to get the prohibition lifted.

If you disagree with the prohibition

You can complain to the local police force or DVSA office that gave you the prohibition. Call DVSA if you need their contact details.

Do not get your vehicle repaired or adjusted while you’re making your complaint.

If you’re unhappy with the outcome, complain to DVSA within 14 days of getting the prohibition.

Driving without a valid operator's licence

You need a valid operator’s licence if you drive the following for any type of business:

a public service vehicle (PSV)

a heavy goods vehicle (HGV)

If you or your employer do not have a valid operator’s licence, your vehicle could be impounded and scrapped after 21 days unless you or your employer appeal to the local Traffic Commissioner.

Appeals can only be made when:

you can prove that the vehicle was seized wrongly (because you or your employer had an operator’s licence when it was seized)

the vehicle was exempt from operator licensing when it was impounded

the vehicle was being used illegally without the owner’s knowledge

Your vehicle may still be scrapped if you appeal and the Traffic Commissioner rules that the impounding was correct.

Fixed penalties

If you get a fixed penalty from a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officer or the police, the amount you have to pay could depend on the circumstances and seriousness of the offence.

Offences you can be fined for include:

your vehicle weighing more than its maximum permitted weight

driving for too long without taking a break

your vehicle not being roadworthy (for example, if it has a bald tyre)

You can be fined between £50 and £300. You can be taken to court for more serious offences, and a magistrate will decide how much your fine is.

You can check you’ve been fined the correct amount by reading DVSA’s guide to offences and fines.

Endorsements to your driving licence

For some offences, you’ll get points added to your licence (endorsements) as well as a fine. For example, if your vehicle has defective brakes, you’ll be given a £100 fine and 3 points on your licence.

You must present your driving licence within 14 days if the offence is endorsable.

Fixed penalty notices

You must have a UK address you can be easily contacted through. Bed and breakfast, hotel, agency or solicitor addresses are not normally accepted.

If you have a satisfactory UK address, you’ll have 28 days from when you’re given a fixed penalty notice to either:

pay the fine

ask for a court hearing if you want to appeal

In Scotland, you’ll get a ‘conditional offer’ instead of a fixed penalty notice. You get 28 days from the date of issue to pay the fine. After this, you could be prosecuted if you do not pay.

If you do not have a satisfactory UK address

You’ll have to pay a ‘financial penalty deposit’. This will be either:

the total of all fixed penalty notices issued (if you want to appeal, you must do so within 28 days)

£500 per offence if you go to court - you’ll have to pay on the spot and go to court later

In both cases the maximum amount you’ll have to pay as a deposit is £1,500. You have to pay this straight away - if you do not, you might not be allowed to drive your vehicle.

The money from deposits is used to pay any fixed penalties or court fines.

You’ll be refunded any money left over from your deposit after fines have been paid.

Your vehicle will be immobilised if you do not pay the deposit.

What happens if your vehicle is immobilised

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officers and police officers have the power to immobilise your vehicle when they stop you.

This might happen if you’ve committed a serious enough offence to get an ‘immediate prohibition’.

An immediate prohibition is used to prevent risks to road safety (for example an unroadworthy vehicle or a tired driver). It means you will not be able to drive your vehicle until the problem is sorted out.

When your vehicle could be immobilised

DVSA or the police can also immobilise your vehicle at the roadside if an immediate prohibition is issued for any of the following reasons:

you’ve broken the rules on drivers’ hours and tachographs

your vehicle is not roadworthy

your vehicle is overloaded

you’ve been given a fixed penalty notice but cannot or will not pay a financial penalty deposit

Not all vehicles given an immediate prohibition will be immobilised. Special circumstances will be considered, eg:

the type of load you’re carrying

if you’re carrying passengers on a public service vehicle who’d be inconvenienced if it was immobilised

How your vehicle is immobilised

DVSA and the police use a steel cable secured by a padlock to immobilise vehicles. It’s fitted around the wheels of the vehicle and a warning notice is attached to the vehicle.

The notice tells you how to get the vehicle released. You have to:

satisfy DVSA that the causes of the immediate prohibitions have been dealt with

pay an £80 release charge

It’s an offence to remove the warning notice or interfere with the immobilising device.

DVSA has produced a guide to vehicle immobilisation with more information, including advice on how to avoid it.


Traffic commissioner public inquiries

Overview

Traffic commissioners are responsible for licensing and regulating operators of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), public service vehicles (PSVs) and local bus services. They can also take action against their drivers.

They can call a formal public inquiry in a court to get more evidence to help them decide if they should:

grant or refuse licences for HGV or PSV operators

take action against a vehicle operator, bus service operator or driver of a bus, minibus or lorry

This might be if someone has objected to a licence being granted or the traffic commissioner thinks an operator may have broken the terms of their licence.

A vehicle or bus service operator can also request a public inquiry but the traffic commissioner doesn’t have to hold one.

Objecting to a licence

Licence applications are made public. Objections can be made by certain public bodies and in some cases individuals.

Objections by public bodies

Bodies that can object to a licence application include:

local and planning authorities

the police

some trade associations and trade unions

When a public body can object

A public body can object to a licence about the:

professional competence of the operator or its transport manager

operator’s finances

operator’s reputation or fitness to hold a licence

operator’s arrangements for vehicle maintenance and drivers’ hours

operating centre’s environmental standards and general conditions

Objections must be put in writing to the traffic commissioner within 21 days of a licence application being made public.

You can see the latest applications and traffic commissioner decisions in the regularly updated ‘Applications and Decisions’ guides for goods vehicles and the ‘Notices and Proceedings’ guides for public service vehicles (PSVs).

Read the guide on goods vehicle operator licensing for further information.

Objections by individuals (representations)

If a vehicle operator wants to add an operating centre to a licence or make changes to an existing centre, owners and residents of land nearby can object. This is called a ‘representation’.

However, representations must be about environmental issues, such as concern over noise, and only if they’re going to affect the owner or resident’s ‘use or enjoyment’ of the land.

Read the guide on making a representation or complaint for further information.

Being called to a public inquiry

You may have to attend a public inquiry if:

someone has objected to your application for a licence or change to a licence

you have not kept to the conditions of your licence, for example you’ve used more vehicles than permitted

there are environmental concerns about a goods vehicle operating centre on your licence

your conduct has come into question, for example you’ve been caught using a mobile phone while driving

You’ll get a letter with all the details.

Notice to attend

You’ll get a minimum of:

28 days’ notice if the inquiry is about a transport manager

21 days’ notice if the inquiry is about a new or existing goods operator licence

14 days’ notice if the inquiry is about a new or existing passenger operator’s licence

You cannot ask for the hearing to be changed to another date, unless you have a good reason that can be backed up. For example, if you’re going on holiday, you may need to send evidence to show it was pre-booked.

At the public inquiry

You can decide to represent yourself or ask someone to represent you, such as a lawyer. This could be someone else like a transport consultant if the traffic commissioner agrees.

Evidence is not given under oath but witnesses have to tell the truth.

If you do not tell the truth you could lose your licence or criminal charges may follow.

What happens at the hearing

Report to the inquiry clerk as soon as you arrive. The traffic commissioner will then:

decide whether oppositions should be heard

listen to the application outline and ask questions about it

listen to objectors or a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) traffic examiner outline their cases and ask questions

ask applicants and objectors to present their cases in detail - they or any of the parties may ask questions

question applicants on how conditions added to the licence may affect their business

ask applicants and objectors to sum up their cases

The traffic commissioner will announce their decision at the time, or give it in writing later, usually within 28 days.

Decision and penalties

The traffic commissioner can decide to:

refuse to grant a licence

refuse to vary an existing licence

attach conditions to a licence

grant a licence allowing fewer vehicles than the number applied for

impose financial penalties on registered bus service operators

end or suspend an existing licence

disqualify an individual or a company from having a licence

disqualify transport managers

You can appeal against the decision.

Appeals

You can appeal to the Upper Tribunal against a traffic commissioner decision (form UT12).

You must send the form to the tribunal within 1 month of the traffic commissioner’s written decision. The address is on the form.

Find out more about making an appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

Further information

The Office of the Traffic Commissioner has produced a detailed guide to traffic commissioner public inquiries. It includes further information on:

how you might be called to an inquiry

how you might find out if an inquiry is to be held

how they work on the day


Specialist tests for lorries

Overview

Most commercial vehicles must be tested every year to make sure they’re roadworthy and follow regulations. This is known as the annual test.

As well as the annual test, your HGV must be tested if you want to be able to:

carry explosives or dangerous goods in bulk - this is known as the ADR test

take goods vehicles outside the EU - this is known as the TIR test

‘uprate’ or ‘downrate’ your vehicle to change the weight it’s allowed to carry

qualify for a Low Emissions Certificate (LEC)

ADR test for carrying dangerous goods

The ADR is a specialist test for vehicles carrying dangerous or hazardous goods in bulk by road.

Your vehicle must pass an ADR test if it’s a commercial vehicle or a trailer used to carry explosives, or if it’s used in the UK or abroad:

to carry dangerous goods in a fixed tank, demountable tank or fixed battery of pressure vessels of over 1,000 litres capacity

for carrying dangerous goods in a container or portable tank or battery of pressure vessels of over 3,000 litres capacity

The test varies depending on the type of goods you want to carry.

How to book a test and what it costs

Complete the application for an ADR test.

Say on the form if the vehicle is to be tested while still carrying dangerous goods (or their residue) - DVSA will make arrangements for this.

Include copies of insurance certificates (originals will need to be seen at the test) for fixed tanks, batteries and pressure vessels.

Send your application at least 10 days before you want to take the test. You can post it to the address on the form or use the contact details below.

Vehicles and trailers need individual certification, so an articulated or drawbar combination will need 2 ADR applications - one for the vehicle and one for the trailer. You have to pay a fee for each part.

Fees for ADR testing and certification

The fees listed are in addition to the standard annual test fee.

DVSA service | Fee

Initial inspection | £116

Re-inspection within 14 days | £63

Duplicate certificate | £14

New type approved artic tractor certificate | £28

Fees may be different in Northern Ireland.

Taking your vehicle to the test

Vehicles should not normally be loaded or uncleaned when they’re taken for the ADR test, unless special arrangements have been made with the testing station.

The exception is for vehicles loaded with UN1202 diesel, gas or heating oil where there’s also no residue of other flammable materials in tank vapour spaces.

If a dangerous goods vehicle is taken to the test uncleaned or not purged, or is laden with dangerous goods, DVSA will need to see evidence that the vehicle is accompanied by a person with an appropriate ADR driver’s licence.

You’ll need to submit form VTG15 to the testing station to show if your vehicle is carrying or has been carrying dangerous goods.

Getting a re-inspection after a failed test

If you fail the test, phone the testing station you used to arrange another inspection.

New goods vehicle tractor units that have ‘ADR-type approval’

If you buy a new tractor unit, ask your vehicle supplier if it has been built to an ‘ADR-type approval’. This means you can get ADR-type certification for it. The manufacturer should supply a combined Declaration of Conformity and application form ADR IIIA, which you can then send to DVSA.

Duplicate ADR certificates

You can get a duplicate certificate as long as the ADR certificate is still current. You cannot get a duplicate of an expired certificate.

Write to DVSA’s ADR Section with the following details:

vehicle/trailer ID

operator name and address

reason for request (for example, you’ve lost the certificate or there’s been a change of owner/operator)

payment details

Change of ADR category

If you want a new certificate because there’s been a change of ADR category call the ADR Section for advice.

TIR test for quicker border crossings

The TIR system allows UK customs officials to pack and seal goods before they’re transported outside the EU. This means that the load will not need to be opened and inspected by customs officials at border crossings.

To meet the TIR requirements your vehicle must pass a test to make sure that:

nothing can be put into or taken from the vehicle without it being obvious

the goods compartment is built so that it has to be accessed from both inside and outside to be removed and replaced

Vehicles have to be made to the TIR convention standards. Most lorries made in the UK are not built to the TIR standard and cannot easily be changed to meet the standard.

Book a TIR test

There are 2 ways to get vehicles approved. You can either:

get individual vehicles approved by having each one inspected

get a design approved for a series of vehicles

Get individual vehicles approved

Fill in an application to book an individual vehicle inspection and pay the fee. You need to fill in a form and pay a fee for each vehicle you want to be approved.

The TIR test certificate lasts for 2 years from the date it’s issued. You then need to book another inspection every 2 years to keep the vehicle approved. You have to fill in the inspection form and pay the fee each time.

Fee type | Cost

Initial inspection for an individual vehicle | £106

Two-yearly inspection for an individual vehicle | £106

Re-inspection for an individual vehicle after a failed test | £70

Fees may be different in Northern Ireland.

Get a design approved for a series of vehicles

Fill in an application to get a vehicle load compartment design approved and pay the fee.

After the design is approved, you have to apply for a ‘certificate of conformity’ for each vehicle made to that design. You have to pay a fee for each vehicle. DVSA will inspect a sample of the vehicles.

The certificate lasts for 2 years from the date it’s issued. You then need to book an inspection for each vehicle made to the design every 2 years to keep them approved. You have to pay the inspection fee each time.

Fee type | Cost

Approval of a design for a series of vehicles | £644

Certificate of conformity for each vehicle made to the design | £14

Two-yearly inspection for each vehicle made to the design | £106

Re-inspection for a vehicle after a failed test | £70

Make a change to an approved design | £106

Replacement certificate of conformity | £14

Where you can get the vehicle tested

Call DVSA to find out where you can have it done.

Cancelling a test

You’ll need to give at least 3 days notice to cancel an inspection. Otherwise the fee won’t be refunded.

Change the weight you can carry

You can apply to increase the maximum permitted weight your lorry can carry.

This is known as:

‘up-plating’ if no physical changes have been made to the design

‘uprating’ if the design has been modified

You’ll get a new plate to show the change in permitted weight.

You’ll have to pay a higher rate of vehicle tax if up-plating or uprating puts you in a higher vehicle tax band.

Downplating and downrating

You can also ‘downplate’ or ‘downrate’ your lorry. This reduces the maximum weight it can work at and will lower its rate of vehicle tax.

Your vehicle will be inspected by DVSA if it has been uprated or downrated before it’s issued with new plates at the new weights.

Up-plated and downplated lorries are not usually inspected, but downplated vehicles might have to pass an official weight test before DVSA issues a new plate.

Apply to replate your lorry

You can apply online or by post. You’ll need to pay £27.

You must apply to DVLA using form V70 to re-licence the lorry once it’s replated. Send your new plating certificate VTG7 with your application.

Reduced emissions test

You can get your vehicle tested for a Low Emissions Certificate (LEC). This lets you drive in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) without paying.

The Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) scheme to reduce your vehicle tax ended on 31 December 2016.

Eligibility

Your vehicle can be tested for a Low Emissions Certificate if it:

was registered in the UK before 1 October 2006

is fitted with a full filter to Low Emission Zone emissions standards

You do not need a Low Emission Certificate for a vehicle with a Euro 4, 5 or 6 engine.

Converted and re-engined vehicles

Contact DVLA if the vehicle has either:

been fitted or converted to run solely on petrol

had an approved gas conversion

Contact Transport for London (TfL) if your vehicle has been ‘re-engined’ to meet Low Emission Zone standards.

Book a Low Emissions Certificate test

Contact an authorised testing facility or Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) test station to book the test.

You need:

your vehicle registration number

your vehicle identification or chassis number

the make, model and date of manufacture

details of any modifications made to meet the emissions standard

to pay the fee

It’s cheaper to have the test done at the same time as the vehicle’s annual test.

What to take to the test

If it’s been tested before you must take the vehicle’s previous Low Emissions Certificate or Reduced Pollution Certificate.

The test can be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if you do not take the certificate.

What happens at the test

The test is in 2 parts:

physical inspection to check any modifications, such as a filter fitted to the exhaust

smoke opacity test to check emissions

Test result

You’ll get a Low Emissions Certificate if your vehicle passes the test.

DVSA will pass your details to TfL automatically. You cannot drive in the Low Emission Zone until your details have been updated - it takes around 3 days.

If your vehicle is registered outside Great Britain, you need to register with TfL yourself. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not register it.

If your vehicle fails

You can appeal the result. Fill in form LEC3 and send it to DVSA. The address is on the form.

Renewing a Low Emissions Certificate

The Low Emissions Certificate has an expiry date on it. You need to get your vehicle tested again by this date if you want to continue driving in the Low Emission Zone without paying.

You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving in the Low Emission Zone without a valid Low Emissions Certificate.


Specialist tests for coaches and buses

Overview

You must get your commercial vehicle tested every year to make sure it’s roadworthy. This is known as the annual test.

There are extra tests coaches and buses may need to take to:

qualify for free entrance to the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) by getting a Low Emissions Certificate (LEC)

meet seat belt safety rules

Reduced emissions test

You can get your vehicle tested for a Low Emissions Certificate (LEC). This lets you drive in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) without paying.

The Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) scheme to reduce your vehicle tax ended on 31 December 2016.

Eligibility

Your vehicle can be tested for a Low Emissions Certificate if it:

was registered in the UK before 1 October 2006

is fitted with a full filter to Low Emission Zone emissions standards

You don’t need a Low Emission Certificate for a vehicle with a Euro 4, 5 or 6 engine.

Converted and re-engined vehicles

Contact DVLA if the vehicle has either:

been fitted or converted to run solely on petrol

had an approved gas conversion

Contact Transport for London (TfL) if your vehicle has been ‘re-engined’ to meet Low Emission Zone standards.

Book a Low Emissions Certificate test

Contact an authorised testing facility or Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) test station to book the test.

You need:

your vehicle registration number

your vehicle identification or chassis number

the make, model and date of manufacture

details of any modifications made to meet the emissions standard

to pay the fee

It’s cheaper to have the test done at the same time as the vehicle’s annual test.

What to take to the test

If it’s been tested before you must take the vehicle’s previous Low Emissions Certificate or Reduced Pollution Certificate.

The test can be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if you don’t take the certificate.

What happens at the test

The test is in 2 parts:

physical inspection to check any modifications, such as a filter fitted to the exhaust

smoke opacity test to check emissions

Test result

You’ll get a Low Emissions Certificate if your vehicle passes the test.

DVSA will pass your details to TfL automatically. It takes around 3 days for your details to be updated so you can drive in the Low Emission Zone.

If your vehicle is registered outside Great Britain, you need to register with TfL yourself. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t register it.

If your vehicle fails

You can appeal the result. Fill in form LEC3 and send it to DVSA. The address is on the form.

Renewing a Low Emissions Certificate

The Low Emissions Certificate has an expiry date on it. You need to get your vehicle tested again by this date if you want to continue driving in the Low Emission Zone without paying.

You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving in the Low Emission Zone without a valid Low Emissions Certificate.

Seat belt installation tests

Manufacturers of some buses, coaches and minibuses must make sure their seat belts meet certain safety rules.

Vehicles that need to be tested

If your vehicle has additional seat belts fitted beyond those required by law, it must be tested if:

it’s a private passenger vehicle with more than 8 passenger seats and was first used on or after 1 October 2001

it’s a public service vehicle

Exemptions

Private passenger vehicles registered before 1 October 2001 are exempt.

Buses made to carry standing passengers are also exempt, but if they have seat belts these must be tested.

Public service vehicles that need a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) have their seat belts checked as part of this process.

Arrange a test

You can get your passenger vehicle’s seat belt installation tested at one of the following centres:

Status

Millbrook proving ground

Transport research laboratory

Manufacturers can test their own seat belts as long as they have the right equipment and staff.

Testing seat belts is usually part of obtaining a COIF on new vehicles.

You can get more advice about testing your passenger vehicle’s seat belts from DVSA.


Driving licences for taxis and private hire vehicles

Type of driving licence

You need a licence to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle.

There are different ways for you apply depending on whether you’ll operate:

outside London

inside London

There is a different process for Northern Ireland.

Outside London

You must apply to your local council for a licence to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV).

Eligibility

To apply you must:

be able to work legally in the UK

have held a full GB or Northern Ireland driving licence - or a full EU driving licence - for at least 12 months

You must also be a ‘fit and proper person’ - which means your background and character will be checked. Your council may carry out an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

You may also need:

a medical examination

a ‘knowledge’ test

to take a driving test

Apply

Ask your council what the requirements are in your area, including the fees they charge and how to apply.

Renew

Ask your council how to renew your licence.

Inside London

You need to apply to Transport for London (TfL) to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV).

Check with TfL to see if you’re eligible to become a taxi or PHV driver.

Apply

Contact TfL to apply for a taxi driver licence.

Contact TfL to apply for a PHV driver licence.

Renew

TfL will send you a renewal form before your current taxi or PHV driver’s licence expires.

You need to renew your licence before it expires or you will not be able to work as a taxi or PHV driver.


Being a goods vehicle operator

Overview

You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your business uses goods vehicles above a certain weight.

The rules are different if you’re in Northern Ireland.

You need a licence to carry goods in a lorry, van or other vehicle with either:

a gross plated weight (the maximum weight that the vehicle can have at any one time) of over 3,500 kilograms (kg)

an unladen weight of more than 1,525 kg (where there is no plated weight)

There are 3 different types of licence - what you need depends on the work you do.

You must also make sure that any drivers you use or employ have the correct licence and training. All vehicles that you use should be correctly taxed and kept safe and in good condition at all times.

Some goods vehicles do not need an operator’s licence - read more about the exemptions.

Motor vehicles and trailers

You’ll need a goods vehicle operator’s licence for a motor vehicle and trailer combination if:

the motor vehicle and the trailer(s) are plated and the total of their gross plated weights is more than 3,500 kg

the total unladen weight of the vehicle and trailer combination is more than 1,525 kg

You do not need an operator’s licence if your trailer’s unladen weight is less than 1,020 kg and you only carry your own goods.

Carrying goods for hire or reward

You’ll need a standard licence if you’re carrying other people’s goods for hire or reward (such as working as a courier or freight transport business) and the vehicle and trailer combination exceeds the weight limits above for a single vehicle.

Types of licence

There are 3 different types of operator’s licence for goods vehicles. The licence you need depends on where you transport goods to and from, and who you do it for.

Standard national licence

This licence means you can carry:

your own goods in the UK and internationally

other people’s goods in the UK

You can also take loaded trailers to or from ports within the UK as part of an international journey, as long as your vehicles do not leave the country.

Standard international licence

This licence means you can carry your own goods, and other people’s goods, both in the UK and on international journeys.

After you get a standard international licence, you can also request the issue of a UK Licence for the Community. A UK Licence for the Community allows:

trips between all EU member countries

transit traffic through EU member countries

cabotage (a journey entirely within one EU country)

Restricted licence

This licence allows you to carry your own goods, but not other people’s goods.

Your licence will continue to be valid as long as you pay your continuation fee every 5 years and operate within the terms of your licence. You’ll be contacted every 5 years to make sure that your licence shows the correct information.

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you have any questions about vehicle licences.

Transport outside the EU

Contact the DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office for help with applications for transport outside certain EU countries.

Apply for a licence

The goods vehicle operator licensing scheme is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on behalf of the traffic commissioners.

The rules and fees are different if you’re in Northern Ireland.

How to apply for a licence

You can apply for a goods vehicle operator’s licence online.

You’ll also need to:

advertise your application for a licence

advertise your proposed operating centre(s)

designate a transport manager if you’re applying for a standard licence

provide information about your financial situation

draw up a maintenance contract with a garage or agent to do safety inspections and repair vehicles if you do not do this yourself

You’ll have to pay a fee to apply for a licence.

You’ll usually get a decision on your application within:

7 weeks if you apply online

9 weeks if you apply by post

Apply for an interim licence

If you need a licence urgently, you can apply for an interim licence until you get your full licence.

The traffic commissioner will only consider issuing an interim licence on receipt of a complete application for an operator’s licence.

What the traffic commissioners do

There are 8 traffic areas in Great Britain with a traffic commissioner responsible for each area. You’ll need to hold a goods vehicle operator’s licence for each traffic area where you have an operating centre.

Traffic commissioners are responsible in their area for:

licensing operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)

granting vocational licences

taking action against drivers of HGVs

When necessary, they also hold public inquiries to consider:

the environmental suitability of HGV operating centres

applications for new licences

disciplinary action against operators who have broken the conditions of their licences

Fees for goods vehicle licences

When applying for a goods vehicle operator’s licence, you’ll have to pay:

a one-off fee payable on application

a fee for the issue of a licence

a fee for the issue of an interim licence (if applicable)

You’ll then have to pay a continuation fee every 5 years to keep your licence active.

Action | Fee

Application for a licence | £257

Issue of a licence | £401

Continuation of a licence after 5 years | £401

Issue of an interim licence | £68

Major change to a licence | £257

How to pay

You can pay your fees:

online when you apply for a vehicle operator licence

by phone - call the DVSA Helpline on 0300 123 9000 to pay for the interim, issuing and continuation fees (find out about call charges)

by post - cheques should be made payable to ‘DVSA’ and sent to the following address

Operating centres

Your operating centre is where your vehicles are normally kept when not in use. When you apply for an operator’s licence, you’ll be asked to give the address of your proposed centre(s) and information about the numbers of trailers and vehicles you will keep there.

You’ll need to show that your operating centre:

is large enough

has safe access

is in an environmentally acceptable location

If you do not own the operating centre, you must show that you’re allowed to use it.

Advertising your application for a goods vehicle operator’s licence

You must advertise your application for a licence in a local newspaper and supply details of your proposed operating centre. This advertisement must appear at least once in the period from 21 days before to 21 days after you make your application, to give people the chance to object.

Your application may be refused if you do not advertise the centre properly.

Objecting to an application for a goods vehicle operator licence

Local councils, planning authorities, police, trade associations, trade unions and other bodies may object to your application for a licence.

Objections may be made on the grounds of:

your fitness to operate

your financial arrangements

your professional competence

the environmental impact of the operating centre

the general suitability of the centre

Your operating centre will need to meet certain conditions and not interfere with any local amenities. Certain things will be taken into account, like:

its effect on the surrounding environment

planning permissions or applications relating to the centre or the land near it

the number, type and size of vehicles using the centre

where and how vehicles will park

how often and for what purpose the centre will be used

Maintaining your vehicles

You must keep your vehicles safe and in good condition at all times. You’ll have to keep records of all safety inspections and maintenance that you or your maintenance contractor do for a minimum of 15 months.

Carrying out your own inspections and maintenance

If you carry out your own safety inspections and maintenance, you must keep records that include:

vehicle details

a list of all items to be inspected

when and by whom the inspection is carried out

the result of the inspection

details of any work carried out

a declaration that any defects have been properly fixed

Walkaround checks

You must make sure your drivers carry out a ‘walkaround check’ before driving a vehicle for the first time each day.

Using a maintenance provider

If you do not do this work yourself, you must provide the traffic commissioner with a copy of a contract with a maintenance provider. You’re still responsible for the condition of your vehicles and trailers, even if they are maintained for you by someone else.

Read the guidance to find out how to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition.

There are also specific roadworthiness checks for recovery vehicles and for horse boxes and trailers.

Employing or using drivers

If you employ or give work to drivers, you must check that they have the correct licence and training to drive goods vehicles.

Professional lorry drivers need to hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).

If you employ or give work to foreign drivers, you should make sure they understand the rules for driving in the UK. The Highways Agency has produced guides for foreign HGV drivers in 6 languages.

Make changes to your licence

You can make changes to your goods vehicle operator’s licence once you have it, for example add more vehicles to it.

You can update your licence online.

You must apply by post if you want to transfer your operating centre to another operator. Download and fill in form GV72 - the address is on the form.

Order a replacement licence

Write to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner if you need to replace your licence.

What happens if you break the terms of your licence

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency carries out regular roadside vehicle checks and checks on operating centres. They then submit information to the independent traffic commissioners.

Your vehicle may be prohibited or immobilised if a DVSA roadside check finds that:

it’s been overloaded

it’s unroadworthy

it breaks the rules on the transport of dangerous goods

a driver has broken drivers’ hours regulations

Your licence could be taken away, suspended or restricted by the traffic commissioner if you:

break any of the terms or conditions of your licence

do not meet health and safety conditions

are convicted of certain offences

are made bankrupt or (if the licence holder is a company) that company goes into liquidation, administration or receivership

use a place not listed on the licence as an operating centre

are given a prohibition notice by DVSA following an inspection

The traffic commissioner may decide to call you to a public inquiry to consider if any action against your licence is necessary.

Exemptions

You do not need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your vehicle:

was first used before 1977, has an unladen weight of 1,525 kilograms or less and a maximum gross plated weight over 3,500 kilograms

is using public roads for less than 6 miles a week whilst moving between private premises belonging to the same person as the vehicle (if the vehicle’s used for excavation or demolition it does not matter who it belongs to)

is being used on trade plates

is a passenger carrying vehicle

Categories of vehicles that are exempt

Several types of vehicle do not need an operator’s licence, including:

military vehicles

snow ploughs and gritters

emergency service vehicles (including those used by gas, electricity, water and telephone companies)

hearses

recovery vehicles (only if they’re used exclusively for that purpose)

tractors and agricultural vehicles used in certain circumstances

Read the guidance to find out more about the vehicle operator licensing system.

Categories of vehicles that are not exempt

These types of vehicles are never exempt:

mobile exhibition vehicles

catering vehicles

mobile shops

mobile medical screening vehicles

vehicles with fixed equipment carrying goods not strictly for use in connection with that equipment, or towing a trailer that’s carrying goods


Supply a large goods trailer for use on the road

Overview

You must apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for permission if you supply large goods trailers for use on the road.

This is called a ‘letter of consent’ and applies to ‘final suppliers’.

You need a letter of consent if your trailer:

is for carrying goods and weighs more than 1020kg when it’s not carrying any goods or other items (known as ‘unladen weight’)

is a semi-trailer

You do not need a letter of consent if your trailer is listed in Schedule 2 of the Goods Vehicle (Plating and Testing) Regulations.

Who needs permission

You need to get permission if you’re a ‘final supplier’ of trailers. Final suppliers are:

trailer manufacturers

trailer dealers

importers of new trailers

If you’re a dealer or importer, you only have to get permission if it has not already been obtained, for example if the trailer was built abroad and the manufacturer did not apply.

When you need to get permission depends on when the trailer was put into service in the UK.

Type of trailer | When you need permission

Trailers manufactured in a single stage | From 29 October 2012

Trailers manufactured in multiple stages | From 29 October 2013

Special purpose trailers | From 29 October 2014

Special purpose trailers include some trailer caravans, boat launching trailers, gritters and towed machinery. Check if your trailer is ‘special purpose’ by calling the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helpline.

It’s an offence to supply or use these trailers without getting permission first and you could be fined.

If you’re an operator using large goods trailers on the road supplied after the dates above, you do not need to get permission - it should already have been given.

You can check this by calling the DVSA helpline.

How to apply

Apply using form TES1.

You might also need to send evidence of vehicle approval depending on when the trailer was manufactured.

| Manufacture date | Evidence of approval needed

Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in single and multiple stages | Up to and including 29 July 2012 | No

Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in a single stage | After 29 July 2012 | Yes

Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in multiple stages | After 29 July 2012 up to and including 29 July 2013 | Partial (at least one element of approval)

Trailers (not including special purpose) manufactured in multiple stages | After 29 July 2013 | Yes

Special Purpose trailers manufactured in a single stage | After 29 July 2012 | Yes

Special Purpose trailers manufactured in multiple stages | After 29 July 2013 | Yes

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) accepts the following evidence of vehicle approval:

a European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

a UK National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA) CoC

a UK Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificate

More details are in the guidance notes. There is an additional form if you want to apply for consent of multiple trailers.

You can also get the form and notes from the DVSA helpline:

Send the form and your supporting documents to:

Apply for a trailer identification number

You can apply for a trailer identification number (also known as a ministry number) to add to your trailer while it’s still being built.

Do this by submitting the vehicle identification number (VIN) using form TES 2.

After you apply

Once DVSA has received your application and confirmed that you meet the requirements you’ll get a ‘letter of consent to supply’.

If applicable, you’ll also get ministry plates, provided your approval documents and application give enough technical information.

If your application is rejected, DVSA will send you a letter explaining the reasons why.


Transporting abnormal loads

Abnormal loads

An ‘abnormal load’ is a vehicle that has any of the following:

a weight of more than 44,000kg

an axle load of more than 10,000kg for a single non-driving axle and 11,500kg for a single driving axle

a width of more than 2.9 metres

a rigid length of more than 18.65 metres

Other measurements may apply if you’re transporting a load abroad.

If you’re responsible for transporting an abnormal load, you need to follow regulations for notifying the authorities.

Notifying the authorities

Depending on the load you’re moving and your route, you may need to give advance warning to:

the police

highway authorities

bridge and structure owners like Network Rail

You can use Highways England’s electronic service delivery for abnormal loads (ESDAL) to:

plot your route

notify the police, highways and bridge authorities of your abnormal load movements around the road network

get advance notice of any possible route problems

save vehicle details and routes for future use

If you do not use ESDAL you must fill in an abnormal loads movement application form.

Give advance notice

You must allow time to get the necessary clearances from the police, highway and bridge authorities. For example, a Special Order application must be completed 10 weeks before the scheduled date of the move.

Read the factsheet for notice requirements.

Taking an abnormal load abroad

If you’re taking an abnormal load outside the UK, you’ll need to:

register your trailer

get an abnormal load trailer keeper’s certificate

Check if a load is abnormal in another country

Some countries measure abnormal loads differently from the UK.

Check with each country you’re travelling through to find out if the load you’re transporting counts as abnormal - if it does, you’ll need to:

keep the certificate in your vehicle - you’ll need to show it at the border


PSV (Public Service Vehicle) operator licences

Overview

You need a public service vehicle (PSV) operator’s licence to:

operate a vehicle for hire or reward (payment or payment in kind) that can carry 9 or more passengers

operate a smaller vehicle carrying passengers and charging separate fares for the journey

Read PSV437, PSV operator licensing: a guide for operators.

Types of PSV licence

There are 4 types of PSV operator licences, plus special licensing rules in London.

Standard licence - national operations only

You can only operate in Great Britain if you apply for a standard licence. Most full-time commercial operators use standard licences.

Standard licence - national and international operations

This kind of licence lets you take passengers abroad as well as within Great Britain.

Restricted licence

You can only apply for a restricted licence for small-scale operations. They allow you to use 1 or 2 vehicles, and neither can carry more than 8 passengers.

You can carry up to 16 passengers in either vehicle if you do not use it as part of a passenger transport business, or you’re operating your vehicles as a sideline and not as your main job.

Special restricted licence

Special restricted licences are used to operate a licensed taxi on a local service. You can only apply for this licence if you’re a licensed taxi operator. A local service is one where:

stops are no more than 24.15 kilometres (15 miles) apart

at least one stop is within the area of the district council that issued your taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) licence

The service must be registered with the local Traffic Commissioner.

Licensing in London

You’ll need a London Service Permit to run a private bus or coach service in London.

Taxis and private hire services in London are licensed by Transport for London (TfL).

How to apply for a PSV licence

You can apply for a PSV operator’s licence online. You’ll usually get a decision within 7 weeks.

It’s illegal to operate a vehicle before your licence has been issued.

Once you’ve got your licence it will not have an expiry date, but you’ll be asked to confirm your details every 5 years. The Traffic Commissioner’s Office will get in touch with you to check them. You’ll need to pay a continuation fee if you’ve got a special restricted (taxi) licence.

The Traffic Commissioner can suspend or revoke your licence if they suspect you’ve been breaking its terms.

You must also tell the Traffic Commissioner if your circumstances change.

Fees

Type of licence | Fees

Application for a standard licence | £209

Application for a restricted licence | £209

Application for a special restricted (taxi) licence | £61

Continuation fee for a special restricted (taxi) licence (payable every 5 years) | £61

Make changes to a licence | £122

Ways you can pay

Pay for your licence online, by phone or by post.

Paying online

You can pay any application or licence fees when you apply for a vehicle operator licence online.

Paying by phone

You can pay by phone by calling the DVSA helpline.

Paying by post

Send a cheque or postal order made payable to ‘DVSA’ to the Central Licensing Office.

Making changes to your PSV licence

You can make changes to your PSV operator’s licence once you have it, for example add more vehicles to it.

You can update your licence online.

You can make most changes to your licence for free. You must pay £122 if you want to:

increase the vehicle limit on your licence

upgrade your licence from standard national to standard international and increase the vehicle limit at the same time

Changes of circumstance

You must tell the Traffic Commissioner within 28 days if:

there’s any change to the correspondence address of the business

there’s any change to the establishment address (standard licences only)

there’s any change in the address of your operating centres

there’s any change in the trading name of the business

any of the persons named on the licence have died - you may need a new licence

there’s been a change of partners if it’s a partnership firm - you may need a new licence

there’s been a change of transport managers

you, your transport manager, officers employees or agents have any relevant convictions

there’s been any other change that the Traffic Commissioner asked you to report as a condition of getting your licence

You’ll also have to tell the Traffic Commissioner if there’s been a change in the ‘legal entity’ of your business, for example if:

your company changes from being a sole trader or partnership to a limited company

there’s been a change in your registered company number

there’s been a change of directors or change in share holding

Send details of any changes to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner’s Central Licensing Office at the DVSA.

Appealing a decision

You can appeal if your application for a PSV operator licence is refused.

You’ll need to send a written notice of appeal to the Upper Tribunal, Administrative Appeals Chamber. There is no fee.

Your notice of appeal needs to be received within one month of the Traffic Commissioner’s decision.

Guidance on making an appeal

Download detailed Tribunals Service guidance on making an appeal.

Appealing an Upper Tribunal decision

If your appeal is unsuccessful and you think that the decision is wrong, you can appeal to the Court of Appeal (England and Wales) or the Court of Session (Scotland).

You must have permission from the Upper Tribunal, or if the Upper Tribunal refuses, from the Court.

Your application for permission to appeal must be received within 1 month of the original appeal decision.

Download detailed guidance about appealing an Upper Tribunal decision.


Run a local bus service

Overview

A local bus service uses public service vehicles (PSVs) to carry passengers who pay separate fares over short distances.

The route can be any length, as long as passengers can get off within 15 miles (measured in a straight line) of where they got on.

You must usually register with the local authority and the local traffic commissioner if you’re operating a local service outside London - there are some exceptions.

You need a London Service Permit to run a service in London.

Who can register

You can register a local bus service if you:

hold a valid PSV operator’s licence

hold a community bus permit

are a local education authority and want to provide a local service using a school bus belonging to you

Taxi or private hire vehicle owners can also register by getting a special PSV operator’s licence.

Before you register

Before registering a local bus service you should consider if:

your route is suitable

you have the right sort of vehicles

you can keep to the timetable given the traffic conditions on route

you have enough drivers to cover absences though sicknesses, holidays, etc

you have replacement vehicles if other vehicles are off-road

there are any traffic regulation conditions – contact your local traffic area office

a Quality Partnership or Quality Contract Scheme exists - contact your local transport authority

You must run the service just as you have registered it, even if staff members are ill or a vehicle is off the road. There are penalties if you do not.

How to register

You must tell the local authority in England or the local council in Scotland that you’re starting a bus service. You must do this 28 days before you apply to the traffic commissioner.

Apply to the traffic commissioner at least 42 days before your service starts - or 56 days before if your service is in Wales.

This notice period begins on the day when the traffic commissioner accepts your application.

Holders of a ‘Section 22’ community bus permit must give at least 28 days’ notice in England and Wales, and 56 days in Scotland.

If you want to start the service sooner you must complete a supplementary form. The traffic commissioner decides whether or not to agree to this.

If you’re planning a service in Strathclyde, you must also give notice to the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport 28 days before you apply to the traffic commissioner.

Fees

It costs:

£60 to register a local bus service

£13 to register a community bus service

Apply online

You can register through the electronic bus service registration (EBSR) system. Telephone the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helpline for information on how to do this.

Apply by post

Print off and fill in the application form for the type of service you want to run:

PSV350 - application to register a bus service (England, Wales and Scotland)

Application to register a local bus service with a flexible route

PSV350A - supplementary form: application to start, change or cancel a registered bus service with less than 56 days’ notice (England, Wales and Scotland)

Where to send the form

Send the form and fees to:

Central Licensing Office - for England and Wales (except London)

Office of the Traffic Commissioner – for Scotland

Other people you must tell

You must also send copies to:

all councils your route passes through - for example the county council, shire council, unitary authority

the relevant Passenger Transport Executive if there is one

Getting help

Read the following guides for more information on:

local bus service registration: guide for operators (England, Scotland and Wales)

the registration of flexibly routed local bus services: guide for operators

Change or cancel a bus service

Apply to the local authority and the traffic commissioner if you want to:

change a timetable, route or other detail of your service

cancel the service

You must tell the local authority in England or the local council in Scotland that you’re changing or cancelling a bus service. You must do this 28 days before you apply to the traffic commissioner.

Apply to the traffic commissioner at least 42 days before your service changes or stops - or 56 days before if your service is in Wales.

Holders of a section 22 community bus permit must give at least 28 days’ notice in England and Wales, and 56 days in Scotland.

If you want to make the changes or cancel the service sooner, you must fill in a supplementary form (England, Scotland or Wales). The traffic commissioner decides whether or not to agree to this.

Fees

It costs:

£60 to change a local bus service

£13 to change a community bus service

There’s no fee for a cancellation.

Application and supplementary forms

Print off and fill in the application and supplementary forms to:

change or cancel a registered bus service (England, Scotland or Wales)

change or cancel a registered bus service with less than 56 days notice (England, Scotland or Wales)

Exemptions

You do not have to register a bus service if all of the following apply:

someone other than you or your agent is responsible for arranging the journey and bringing the passengers together

the journey is not advertised in advance to the general public

all passengers travel together to or from the same place - for example a school or factory

passengers pay the same fare no matter how far they travel

School or college bus services

If you operate a bus service provided by a local education authority in England or Wales, you may not have to register it.

You do not need to register a service if the only passengers who pay fares are either:

studying at a school or college

supervising pupils or students

teachers or assistants working at the school or college

If other people can also use the service, it must be registered.

Other exemptions

You do not need to register:

a replacement bus service (for example when a train service is temporarily cancelled and a bus is used instead)  provided under an agreement with the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the National Assembly for Wales

excursions or tours - unless they operate once a week or more for at least 6 weeks in a row

An excursion or tour is where passengers travel together on a journey, with or without breaks, from one or more places to one or more places and back.

Traffic regulation conditions

The local council can ask the traffic commissioner to impose conditions on your licence. The traffic commissioner will decide if conditions are needed to:

prevent dangers to other road users

reduce traffic congestion

limit environmental pollution

The conditions could affect:

your bus routes

where you can stop

when you can stop and for how long

where you can turn or reverse

the number of vehicles, their type or their frequency

In some cases the conditions will start straight away.

You’ll be told if conditions have been imposed and they’ll be added to your licence.

You cannot meet the conditions

You must change the registration within 28 days if you cannot run your service under the conditions. You will not have to pay a fee if you change the registration because of these conditions. You must meet the conditions until the change of registration takes effect.

You disagree with the conditions

You can ask for a public inquiry within 28 days if you disagree with the traffic commissioner’s decision.

It’s against the law to disobey traffic regulation conditions.

Penalties for poor service

Once you have registered your service you must run it:

at the times you’ve said it would run

along the route you’ve registered

Penalties

If you do not run a reliable or punctual service the traffic commissioner can stop you from running the service - or even running any services at all.

The traffic commissioner can also fine you. The size of the fine is based on the number of vehicles you’re licensed to use.

If you provide the local bus service in England and Wales, you may also have to:

spend money on providing or improving local services or facilities

compensate passengers

You can appeal to the Upper Tribunal if you disagree with the traffic commissioner’s decision.

Read more about the standards for local bus services and how traffic commissioners expect you to operate.

Register a bus service in London

To run a bus service in London you must have a London Service Permit. Permits last for 5 years and you must normally apply at least 3 months before starting the service.

You can apply for a shorter period of notice if Transport for London (TfL) agrees.

Concessionary fares

You may be eligible to take part in a concessionary fare scheme. This reimburses you for carrying passengers who get discounted travel, such as:

older people

disabled people

children

Contact your local council for more information on taking part.

Some councils offer a voluntary membership scheme for operators. Others have a compulsory scheme.

Find out more

Find out more about concessionary fare schemes for:

England

Scotland

Wales

Grants for local bus services

You might qualify for the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (in England or Scotland) or the Regional Transport Services Grant (in Wales) if you provide a service where:

at least half the seats are available to and regularly used by the general public

stops on the route are in places that people are likely to use reasonably often - fixed bus stops or otherwise

single journey fares are reasonably priced

fares can be paid conveniently

the bus does not have signs or any other indication that it’s not available to the general public

information about the service, its route and timetable is accessible to the general public

advance bookings of flexible services do not deter people who want to make a single journey

There are slightly different conditions if your bus service is intended for transporting pupils, people with disabilities or elderly people.

Read more about the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (England and Scotland).

How to apply

Contact the helpline for your area.

England

Scotland

Wales

The grant is administered through the Regional Transport Consortia:


Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS)

Overview

If you’re a vehicle operator, your drivers might be stopped at the roadside by the police or the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for vehicle inspections.

DVSA use the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system to decide which vehicles should be inspected.

OCRS is used to calculate the risk of an operator not following the rules on roadworthiness (the condition of its vehicles) and traffic, eg drivers’ hours, weighing checks.

It’s more likely that your vehicles will be inspected if your OCRS is high.

How the system works

The Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system is based on data collected by DVSA over a 3-year rolling period.

Data is taken from annual tests, roadside inspections and inspections at operators’ premises.

You get scores split into 2 categories, and a combined score.

Category | Where the data comes from

Roadworthiness | Vehicle tests (first tests, subsequent annual tests); ‘vehicle encounters’ (fleet check inspections at operator premises, roadside inspections)

Traffic | Roadside inspections and prosecutions (for example, for drivers’ hours and tachograph offences, weighing checks)

As an operator you get points when a test or inspection finds a defect or infringement of the rules. The more serious the defect or infringement, the more points.

You’ll be given a score, which will be shown as R (red - highest risk), A (amber - medium risk) or G (green - lowest risk).

The guidance on the OCRS system explains how the scores are worked out.

You might have no score if DVSA doesn’t have any data for you from the past 3 years.

You can check your OCRS score, view test histories and roadside check reports online.

Operators outside Great Britain

DVSA has a non-GB OCRS system for operators based outside Great Britain. It’s based on data captured at the roadside - this is because there is no annual test or prosecution data available.

How your score can change

Because your Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) is calculated over a 3-year rolling period, it can change after inspections, tests or prosecutions against you.

DVSA calls these ‘encounters’. Your score could change if you:

commit a new offence or have a defect recorded against you at inspection (this has a negative effect on your score)

have a ‘clear encounter’ - eg you pass an inspection without any problems (this has a positive effect on your score)

If you’re prosecuted by DVSA you’ll get points from the date of prosecution, not the date of the offence.

The lower your OCRS is, the better.

Old encounters

Your score also changes as old encounters that previously counted towards your score no longer count once they’re not in the OCRS calculation period.

If you had clear encounters included in your score and these are now outside the calculation period, this might mean your score goes up. But if you had negative encounters included and these no longer count, your score might go down.

Year weightings

The impact of an offence or defect decreases over the 3-year time period.

For the first 12 months after the offence or defect, its score stays the same. After 12 months it falls by a quarter and then it’s halved in the final 12 months.

Other changes

There are a number of ‘parameters’ that feed into your OCRS. DVSA sets these and can change them at any time - this has an impact on your score.

The parameters are:

points for offences and defects

points for prosecutions

time weightings

band thresholds (these determine whether you’re in the red, amber or green band)

trigger events and time periods

The values for all parameters are available in the guidance on the OCRS system.


Setting up an Approved Tachograph Centre (ATC)

How to apply

If you want to set up an Approved Tachograph Centre (ATC), you will need to read the ATC manual and fill in form GV207.

Send your application to the address on the form.

You can also contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for the form and manual.

Costs and equipment

It costs:

£361 to register as an Approved Tachograph Centre (ATC)

£148 to renew your registration each year

You can register to work on analogue tachographs, digital tachographs, or both.

Equipment

The ATC manual tells you what equipment you’ll need to buy.

Who can work for you

You can only employ ‘nominated technicians’ to carry out work at an Approved Tachograph Centre (ATC). They must be skilled technicians with experience working on tachographs.

If they need to road test vehicles, they must also have a driving licence for the relevant categories of vehicles they’re testing.

They’ll also need to hold a ‘certificate of competence’ for each class of tachograph (digital, analogue or both) that they want to work on.

They’ll get this only after they’ve  successfully completed a DVSA-approved training course. You’ll find details in the ATC manual.

Tachograph workshop smart cards

A tachograph workshop card is used to calibrate digital tachographs. To be eligible for a workshop card, you must:

be a nominated technician working at an Approved Tachograph Centre (ATC) with digital status

hold a digital training certificate

Tachograph workshop cards are issued free of charge. They are automatically renewed every year on 31 March.

The cards are issued to a nominated technician, not to a centre - this means that only the individual who has the card can use it.

If you’re the nominated technician and you work at 2 workshops, you’ll need a card for each workshop.

How to apply

Print off and fill in form D778B and send it to DVSA, with a copy of an up-to-date analogue and digital training certificate.

Once DVSA has checked and approved your application it will be forwarded to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), who will issue your card to the ATC where you work.

You’ll need a PIN code to use a workshop card. This will be sent to your home address, and must only be used by you.

If you enter the wrong PIN code 5 times in a row it will lock the card and you’ll need to apply for a new card using form D778B.  You’ll also be issued with a new PIN code

Read ‘How to fill in your application for a digital tachograph workshop card (D778B)’ before you fill in the form.

For more help, contact the DVSA helpline.

Working with tachograph workshop cards

Workshop cards can hold:

details of 88 calibrations

a small amount of events and faults data

A workshop card must not be used instead of a company card. If you have a card used by your calibration centre, this must only be used in accordance with the tachograph centre’s duties and not as a substitute company card.

All insertions of a card are recorded on the vehicle unit and the card.

Renewal of workshop cards

DVLA sends a renewal list to DVSA 2 months before a card’s expiry. This is then checked and returned to DVLA with details of technicians whose cards can be renewed.

You must report any lost or stolen cards to DVSA and the police immediately.

If your card is lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement by printing off and filling in form D778B to DVSA. You’ll need to provide a police incident reference number for stolen cards.

If your card stops working

Try using the card in a different vehicle unit. If it still does not work, print off and fill in form D778B and sent it with the faulty card to DVSA to get a new card.

Any misuse of workshop cards may lead to the withdrawal of your nominated technician and tachograph centre’s approval.


Vehicle licences for taxis or private hire vehicles

Where to apply

To operate your vehicle as a taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) you need to get it licensed.

There are different ways for you apply depending on whether you’ll operate:

outside London

inside London

There is a different process for Northern Ireland.

Outside London

You must get your taxi or private hire vehicle inspected and licensed by your local council.

Apply

Contact your local council to apply for a vehicle licence.

Eligibility

You must get a licence for each vehicle. The vehicle must have no more than 8 passenger seats.

Inspections and insurance

The council may check your vehicle to make sure:

it’s roadworthy

it’s comfortable and clean

the taximeter works properly

the doors are safe and secure

You’ll also need insurance that:

covers you for hire and reward

includes you as the named driver

The council decides how often it tests vehicles but can’t test more than 3 times in a year.

You must fix any problems within 2 months of failing a test. You can lose your vehicle licence if you don’t.

Conditions

The council can attach conditions to vehicle licences. These might include:

the colour scheme of your vehicle

the use of roof signs

use of a taximeter

Refusals and appeals

The council can refuse your application if:

your vehicle doesn’t meet certain criteria

you don’t accept conditions it gives you

it wants to control the number of taxis in the area

When the council makes its decision it will explain your right to appeal if:

your application for a vehicle licence has been refused

the licensing authority has suspended, revoked or refused to renew a vehicle licence

You appeal to a crown court about a taxi licence decision or to a magistrates court about a private hire vehicle decision.

Inside London

Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV) in London must be inspected and licensed by Transport for London (TfL).

Vehicle licences for London taxis

Apply

Your taxi must be inspected by TfL to get your vehicle licence.

Eligibility

You must meet the eligibility criteria set by TfL for your vehicle.

Vehicle licences for private hire vehicles

Apply

If you want to use a vehicle for private hire work, you’ll need to have it licensed by TfL.

Eligibility

Your PHV must:

have no more than 8 passenger seats

not look like a licensed taxi, eg London-style ‘black cab’

only display advertising that complies with TfL guidelines

display licence discs - although exemptions are sometimes granted

Get your vehicle inspected

Your vehicle will need to be inspected by TfL.


Provide driving tests for your employees

Who can provide driving tests

Driving tests are usually provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

You can apply to DVSA for permission for your own staff to provide driving tests for your employees if you’re a:

bus or haulage operating licence holder

police service

fire and rescue service

Your staff providing driving tests will be known as ‘delegated driving examiners’.

Tests that can be provided

Delegated driving examiners are allowed to provide theory and practical driving tests for drivers of:

lorries

buses and coaches

cars and trailers

emergency service vehicles

Lorry, bus and coach companies

Delegated driving examiners working for lorry, bus and coach companies can test:

an employee

an employee of a sister company

As a delegated driving examiner, you cannot test someone you’ve trained.

Emergency services

Delegated driving examiners working for police services and fire and rescue services can test:

an employee

an employee from the same type of service in a different area

The same delegated driving examiner can provide tests for both a police service and a fire and rescue service, but both must appoint them with DVSA.

Rules for your driving examiners

When deciding whether to give permission for someone to provide driving tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) looks at if they:

have a full driving licence for the type of vehicle they’re testing in

have had any convictions in the last 3 years

have been disqualified from driving

have any court proceedings pending against them

have any penalty points on their licence

Qualifying as a delegated driving examiner

Your employees must then:

complete an initial training course

reach an appropriate standard in the delegated driving examiner theory and practical tests

DVSA will send you more information about the qualifying process when you apply to provide driving tests.

Apply to provide driving tests

You must email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to get permission to provide driving tests.

You cannot currently contact DVSA by telephone or post because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You must include information about your organisation, the tests you want to provide, and the people you want to appoint as delegated driving examiners.

Your organisation

You’ll need to include:

the full name of the organisation

the registered address or headquarters address (if you’re not a registered company)

a copy of your certificate of incorporation if you’re a registered company

a copy of your operator licence (if you have one)

the name, position and contact details of the main contact in your organisation for driving tests

confirmation that you, as the person submitting the application, is an approved signatory for the purposes of the application

The tests you want to provide

You’ll need to include:

details of the locations at which testing would take place

the categories of tests you want to provide, for example, ‘category D - bus’

the type of tests you want to provide, for example, licence acquisition theory test, licence acquisition practical test and so on

details of where the records about the tests would be stored

an estimate of the minimum number of tests you’ll provide in the 12 months following your approval

The people you want to appoint as examiners

You’ll need to include the full names and driving licence numbers of the people you want to appoint as delegated driving examiners.

When DVSA gets your application

DVSA will tell you its decision about your application within 10 working days.

You’ll also get information about:

the qualifying process

the detailed rules about providing theory and practical driving tests

the detailed rules about recording tests that you provide

You can email DVSA if you need more information.


Become an MOT tester

Overview

Check that you meet the eligibility rules to become an MOT tester.

Take an MOT tester qualification course.

Pass a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency MOT demonstration test.

You can then start carrying out MOT tests at an authorised testing station.

You’ll have to take training and an assessment each year when you’re qualified.

Eligibility

To take an MOT testing course you must:

have a current and full UK driving licence for the vehicle classes you want to test

be a skilled mechanic with at least 4 years’ full-time employment servicing and repairing the types of vehicles you’re going to test

have no unspent convictions for criminal offences

be ‘of good repute’ - the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will decide this to make sure you’re suitable to be an MOT tester

To become a class 3 or 5 MOT tester you must also have already:

got a level 2 testing certificate in class 4 and 7 vehicles (group B)

passed an MOT demonstration test after getting your level 2 certificate

You must have an accepted qualification or accreditation if you want to test class 3, 4, 5 or 7 vehicles (cars, private buses and light commercial vehicles).

Common qualifications or accreditations

Check the full list of accepted qualifications and accreditations.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs)

You can take the MOT testing course if you have a VRQ, NVQ or SVQ in:

Vehicle Mechanical and Electronic Systems, Maintenance and Repair (light vehicle or heavy vehicle), level 3

Vehicle Technician, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (light vehicle or heavy vehicle), level 3

City and Guilds

You can take the MOT testing course if you have a City and Guilds qualification in:

Automotive Qualification, NVQ level 3

Repair and Servicing of Road Vehicles, 383 (full level 2 or 3)

Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, modular - part 3 (requires 3 modules)

Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, 381 (full part 2 or 3)

Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, pre 381 syllabus (full part 2)

Light or Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Craft Studies (full part 2 or 3)

Motor Vehicle Technician’s Certificate (full part 1)

Other qualifications

You can also take the MOT testing course if you have one of these qualifications:

IMI level 3 National Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (light vehicle or heavy vehicle)

National Craft Certification with a specialism of Vehicle Maintenance and Electronic Systems

Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), National Certificate or Ordinary National Certificate (ONC) in Motor Vehicle Engineering studies

Scottish Vocational Educational Council National Certificate in Vehicle Mechanics and Systems (part 3)

Accreditations

You can take the MOT testing course if you have an Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) in:

Light Vehicle Diagnostic Technician

Light Vehicle Inspection Technician

You must have a valid ATA accreditation ID card. You’ll have received this when you got your qualification.

You can also take the course if you have an ABC Awards Accreditation in Vehicle Technician Accredited Assessment.

MOT tester course (class 1, 2, 4 and 7)

You must successfully complete an MOT tester qualification course to become an MOT tester.

Before the course

You need to show that you’re eligible to become an MOT tester.

How to apply

Find an MOT tester qualification course and book it with the course provider.

You have to pay to take the course. The prices vary and are set by each course provider.

What the course involves

The course will cover theory and practical training on being an MOT tester.

The course lasts at least 29 hours. You’ll spend at least 8 hours doing practical training.

There are 5 parts to the course:

safe working practices in the vehicle test centre

working relationships within the vehicle test centre

managing your own professional development as an MOT tester

carrying out pre-test checks for an MOT test

carrying out an MOT test

Assessments in the course

The course also includes:

a multiple-choice question test

a practical assessment

You have to pass both to successfully complete the course.

Your course provider will give you more information on how their course works.

After you’ve done the course

When you complete the course you get a Level 2 MOT Testing Award in either:

class 1 and 2 vehicles (group A)

class 4 and 7 vehicles (group B)

You’ll get a certificate which you need to book and take a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency MOT demonstration test.

MOT demonstration test (class 1, 2, 4 and 7)

You must pass an MOT demonstration test when you’ve got your level 2 MOT testing certificate.

You can do the demonstration test at either:

the training centre where you took the qualification course

an MOT testing station you work at (that’s open and trading)

You do not have to pay to do the demonstration test.

Before you book the test

Before you book the test, you need to:

read the MOT testing manuals and special notices

practise your inspection routine

practise using the test equipment with different vehicles

watch an experienced tester test different vehicles

How to book the test

You can book your demonstration test once you can carry out an MOT test without any help.

Sign in to the MOT testing service - your account should have been created when you did your qualification course.

Go to the your profile section and select qualifications.

Add your level 2 MOT testing certificate number, and choose where you want to do the demonstration test - you’ll need the ID number of the training centre or testing station.

Request a test by calling the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). You’ll need your user ID from the MOT testing service and the name and ID number of the test location you chose in step 3.

DVSA will call you to set a test date - this can take several weeks. If DVSA has not called you within 4 weeks, you can call them to get an update.

What to bring to the test

When you take your test, make sure you bring:

a vehicle that’s at least 3 years old, in the vehicle class you’re being tested on

your UK driving licence (if you do not have a photocard licence you also need to take photo ID, such as your passport)

your level 2 MOT testing award certificate

Your test will be cancelled if you do not bring these things with you.

What happens at the test

The DVSA examiner will explain what you’ll have to do. They’ll ask you to:

carry out a demonstration test

record the result in a practice version of the MOT testing service

answer some questions about the MOT

Test result

If you pass the demonstration test you can start doing MOT tests at the testing stations where you’re a registered tester. These are listed in the MOT testing service.

If you fail the demonstration test, the examiner will give you feedback and tell you what to do next.

Class 3 or 5 MOT tester training

You need to do another training course and MOT demonstration test to become a class 3 or 5 MOT tester.

Before the training course

You’ll need to show that you’ve already:

How to apply

You can book a class 3 or 5 training course by contacting these approved course providers. The prices vary and are set by each course provider.

After you’ve done the course

You’ll get a certificate. You need this to book and take a DVSA MOT demonstration test before you can work as a class 3 or 5 MOT tester.

Do not enter the certificate details on the MOT testing service.

The demonstration test involves being tested by a DVSA examiner at either:

the training centre where you took the qualification course

a testing centre that tests class 3 and 5 vehicles

Preparing for the test

Prepare for the demonstration test by:

reading the MOT testing manuals and special notices

practicing your inspection routine

making sure you have all the necessary documents, for example your driving licence

How to book the test

You’ll need:

your MOT testing service user ID

to know the vehicle test station (VTS) number where you want to have your test

Call DVSA to book your test.

How the test works

A DVSA examiner will check your:

class 3 or 5 MOT training certificate

The examiner will explain what you’ll have to do. They’ll ask you to:

carry out a demonstration test

record the result in the training version of the MOT testing service

answer some questions about the MOT

Test result

If you pass the demonstration test you’ll be able to do either class 3 or 5 MOT tests at testing stations authorised to test these classes.

Annual training and assessment

You must complete your training and pass an assessment between April and March every year, for example between April 2016 and March 2017.

You choose when you do the training and assessment.

You’ll be responsible for:

planning and doing your training

recording your training and keeping evidence of it

booking and taking the annual assessment

Returning to MOT testing

You need to do more training and take a test if you’re returning to MOT testing.

What you have to do depends on:

why you stopped testing

how long you stopped testing for

After a formal warning or disciplinary period

You must complete all the steps before you can test again.

Formal warning or disciplinary period of 28 days

Take the current year’s annual training and assessment.

Take extra training about the subjects you were disqualified for. For example, read the inspection manuals or take a training course. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can ask you for evidence you’ve done it.

Take a DVSA MOT demonstration test.

Disciplinary period of 2 or 5 years

Take an MOT tester qualification course.

Take a DVSA MOT demonstration test.

If you stopped testing voluntarily

Stopped for between 6 months and 5 years

Take extra training. For example, read the inspection manuals or take a training course. DVSA can ask you for evidence you’ve done it.

Take a ‘returning to MOT testing’ demonstration test. Call DVSA to book your test.

You’ll need to give:

your MOT testing service user ID

the number of the vehicle test station where you want to do the test

the class of vehicle you want to test

Stopped for more than 5 years

Take a DVSA MOT demonstration test.


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.

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.

Training

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:

new vehicle technology

MOT test procedures

MOT testing requirements

corrosion and standards of repair

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:

new vehicle technology

MOT testing requirements

corrosion and standards of repair

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 May 2021 to March 2022)

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 1 May 2021 to 31 March 2022 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 2020 to 2021 assessment you will need to pass the 2021 to 2022 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

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 2021 to 2022 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 2021 to 2022 assessment, including:

your MOT testing service user ID

a copy of your certificate and training record

your MOT centre number