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MOT Tester study notes

MOT Testing Guide (Group B)

Tester requirements, VT20 and VT30 documentation, abandoned tests, discipline and the convictions that affect your good repute.

What this topic covers

Tester requirements, VT20 and VT30 documentation, abandoned tests, discipline and the convictions that affect your good repute. The full MOT Tester Annual Assessment app contains 34 questions on this topic, each referenced to its section of the DVSA manual.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

A tester does not hold the driving licence category for the class of vehicle presented. A road test looks likely to be needed. What should they do?

  • A. Not start the test at all ✓ correct
  • B. Start the test and stop if a road test is needed
  • C. Start the test and ask a colleague to road test it
  • D. Start the test and record the road test as not done
Explanation: A tester without a valid licence category for the class of vehicle should not start the test where a road test is likely to be needed. Starting and then handing over does not work, because a test interrupted for this reason has to be repeated in full rather than continued. Recording the road test as not done would leave the examination incomplete. (Section E, restricted driving licences)
Example 2

A tester is assigned to more than one vehicle testing station. What must they be careful to do?

  • A. Hold a separate authorisation for each station they attend
  • B. Notify DVSA each time they move between the stations
  • C. Complete a separate annual assessment for each station
  • D. Select the correct test location on the service before starting ✓ correct
Explanation: Where a tester is assigned to more than one VTS, they must ensure the correct test location is selected on the MOT testing service before starting a test. The guide does not require a per-move notification, a separate assessment per station, or a separate authorisation for each site. (Section E)
Example 3

How quickly must DVSA be notified of a conviction affecting an individual involved in the MOT scheme?

  • A. At the next annual assessment
  • B. Within 28 days of the conviction
  • C. Immediately ✓ correct
  • D. On renewal of the authorisation
Explanation: Notification must be immediate. Tying it to a fixed period, to the annual assessment, or to authorisation renewal would all allow a person to continue in the scheme after a conviction the Agency has not been told about. (Appendix 7, section 2)
Example 4

Which people in the MOT scheme must be free of conviction and of good repute?

  • A. Only testers and the site managers who supervise them
  • B. Everyone involved, from AE principals through to testers and site admin ✓ correct
  • C. Only those individuals who sign and issue test certificates
  • D. Only those holding direct log-in access to the testing service
Explanation: The requirement covers every individual involved in the scheme — AE principals, designated managers, delegates, site managers, site admin, testers and AE consultants. Restricting it to testers, to certificate signatories, or to those with system access would leave out roles the appendix names. (Appendix 7, section 1)

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