We’re sure you’ll have noticed (pun intended!) the recent Special Notices dealt with some changes for your MOT noticeboard.
Here’s what the MOT Guide currently says:
A noticeboard with a protective transparent covering must be positioned inside the vehicle testing station so that DVSA notices can be easily read by any persons intending to or submitting vehicles for test.
The MOT noticeboard must not be obscured or be inaccessible and must be of sufficient size to accommodate at least one A3 fees poster (landscape) and one Certificate of Authorisation (A4 portrait). It must not be used for any other purpose other than official DVSA MOT notices and company public liability insurance and certificates of incorporation.
If the noticeboard displays both MOT and business documents, there must be clear and distinct separation between the MOT documents and any documents not related to MOT testing.
All authorised examiners (AEs) must display:
- the certificate of authorisation (VT9) issued by DVSA
- the current fees and appeals poster (form VT9A) showing vehicle classes, test fees and appeals procedure and the details of how to contact DVSA
So what do some of these terms mean?
- “Easily read by any persons intending to or submitting vehicles for test”
In practical terms, anyone who walks into your service reception area should be able to see and read the contents of the MOT noticeboard whether they’re booking in at the desk or sitting in your customer waiting are. - “not be obscured or inaccessible”
Basically, it means you need to ensure that they can be easily seen! I’ve seen boards hidden behind large plants and roller banners, mounted at the back of the customer service desk or propped up on the floor. All of these were obscured or inaccessible to the customer. - “It must not be used for any other purpose”
Whilst you might be very proud and want to show off all those thank you cards or want to do another local business a favour by putting up an advert for their Weight Watchers group, the MOT noticeboard isn’t the place to do it!
The only things you are allowed display on the MOT Noticeboard, other than MOT notices, are your Public Liability Insurance docs and certificates of incorporation.
- “be clear and distinct separation between the MOT documents and any documents not related to MOT testing”.You need to give your documents their own part of the board to ensure that the MOT noticeboard has a clear identity and doesn’t get muddled with anything else.
So what should be on the MOT noticeboard?
You must display your VT9 and both sides of the VT9a and the noticeboard should be instantly recognisable to anyone visiting your premises by being clearly marked as an MOT Noticeboard!
So, if you’re a Site Manager, go and take a look at your MOT noticeboard and ask yourself these five things:
- Is it visible to those booking or waiting for their MOT?
- Is it covered by a protective transparent covering?
- Is it clearly marked as an MOT Noticeboard?
- Does it have the correct paperwork on it?
- How old are the papers on the board, are they up to date? Anything that says VOSA or Vehicle Inspectorate probably needs updating! (VOSA become DVSA in 2013. Vehicle Inspectorate became VOSA in 2003).
By ensuring that you can answer yes to all the above and getting your papers up to date, you can rest easy knowing that’s another thing ticked off as compliant!
And if you’re still not sure you’ve got it right, drop us an email at Karena@themotgroup.co.uk or use our contact page, we’re always happy to help to ensure that you’re on the right track!