Get ahead of the game and book your testers’ 2023/24 annual training and assessments now.
The automotive industry is known for its fast pace. But there’s a thin line between fast-paced and chaotic. So, being organised is essential to avoid unnecessary stress, miscommunication and missed deadlines.
If your business supplies MOTs as a service, one way to avoid stress – for you and your testers – is to get ahead of the game when getting your testers through their mandatory annual MOT Tester Training.
New annual training modules are now live
A new set of annual training modules were released on April 1st, and they MUST be completed by March 31st 2024. Which seems a long way off, right? But in our experience, the VTS Site Managers that encourage their testers to book in early and get it off their to-do list are the ones with fewer grey hairs at the end of the year. (We can’t prove that, of course, but it’s an educated guess!)
What testers have to know
All testers for vehicle test group class 1 and 2 or class 3, 4, 5 and 7 must:
- complete a minimum of 3 hours of training every year
- pass an annual assessment
- have five years of completed training logs and certificates available for DVSA inspection.
The MOT Annual Assessment Topics 2023/24 for Classes 4 and 7 include …
Registering a vehicle for test:
- correctly identifying the vehicle and the class of vehicle
- what to do if the vehicle has been incorrectly registered for test
- what to do if the incorrect registration has been recorded
- what to do if the vehicle’s mileage is not clear
- what to do if the vehicle is the wrong colour, and how to change the record of its colour
- how to create a new test (first test)
- Q plates.
Use of equipment:
- what to do if the equipment stops working
- what to do if connected equipment is not working correctly (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
- testing in manual mode (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
- aligning headlamp equipment/distance from beam tester.
Test procedures:
- what to do if the vehicle is damaged during the test
- what to do if the headlamp patterns on the vehicle are different from those in the appropriate manual
MOT inspection manual:
- when to abandon or abort a test, whether a fee can be charged, and what action to take if the test cannot be completed
- whether a vehicle can be refused or declined if the vehicle is exempt from testing, but the customer still wants to have it tested
- what happens if an exempt vehicle fails its MOT test
- MOTs for vehicles not fitted with lights
- engine oil leaks identified during a pre-check
- battery leaks (standard and hybrid/full electric)
- what to do if a customer requests an MOT test for a vehicle with a police or DVSA prohibition notice on it
- class 7 vehicle tyre load capacity, axle weights and speed rating
- whether a car over 3000kg can be tested at a class 4 site.
It is up to each tester to decide how they will complete their annual training. Whether they choose classroom sessions, online training and assessment with colleagues or by themselves, TMOTG can help them through the learning process. The test, however, MUST be completed by the tester themselves.
The recent Special Notice 02-23 published in April announced the change from 3 hours per year and 15 hours in a rolling five-year period to a straightforward 3 hours per year! The great news is … our course covers at least 3 hours of learning and a record of this training (Training Log). The assessment is then taken, and clear instructions are given on how to print your certificate, which should later be printed out and given to your MOT Manager along with a copy of the Training Log so they can keep their records up to date.
NOTE: keeping a copy for yourself in case you move roles or want to test at another station is also a good idea.
Classroom dates for Kings Langley WD4 8AU training are:
July 6th at 12.00 pm
August 23rd at 9 am
September 28th at 1 pm
October 13th at 8 am
Course Fee £160 + VAT (per person)
Our course includes three hours of training; candidates will take their assessment and complete the DVSA-required annual training log. We will even through in the odd free coffee!
Contact karena@themotgroup.co.uk to arrange attendance at one of our classroom sessions, or, if numbers and facilities allow, we can come to your premises to complete the training.