Thinking of becoming an MOT Tester?
Fancy swapping the spanners for the inspection sheet now and then?
Well, before you dive in, grab a brew and let’s talk about what it actually takes to get that shiny tester badge.
Eligibility Criteria
Experience Matters!
First up, you’ve got to have the experience, that’s a minimum of four years full-time on the tools, properly servicing and repairing light vehicles. You can’t have spent half that time just topping up washer fluid or fitting air fresheners.
The DVSA are looking for proper, hands-on time – diagnosing, repairing, the works. They want to see that you are an experienced tester with practical experience in vehicle servicing and repair.
Getting the Right Qualifications (A Level 3 in Accountancy doesn’t count!)
If you want to work as an MOT Tester you’ll need a Level 3 qualification in vehicle maintenance and repair.
We’ve genuinely had someone try to put forward a Level 3 in Accountancy before! Unless you’re planning to balance the books while checking brake discs, that one’s a no-go.
If you haven’t got a Level 3 qualification and are a skilled mechanic, don’t panic as there is another route: the Vehicle Technician Accredited Assessment (VTAA). This basically proves that you know your stuff, even if you haven’t got the paperwork.
Don’t try and blag it though, as it’ll show up pretty fast. The assessors have seen it all before!
Driving Licence and Good Behaviour
You’ll also need:
- A full UK driving licence for the type of vehicle you want to test.
- To be of “good repute”, that’s Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVSA) speak for not having dodgy dealings on your record.
- You’ll need to a basic DBS check so if your past is clean with no unspent criminal convictions, you’re good to go.
How do I get my MOT Tester Qualification?
In order to become a certified MOT Tester, you need to enrol onto an MOT testing course and it’s not as scary as you might think! MOT tester courses provide both theoretical and practical training as part of the mot training process, ensuring you gain the hands-on skills and knowledge required for certification.
Get the lowdown on our MOT Tester course here
We keep our classes small for our MOT courses, usually 4 to 6 people, which means more time to ask questions, go through the routines, and get properly stuck in. The training is delivered at an accredited training centre to ensure high standards and quality instruction. And we keep morale high with plenty of biscuits and sweets because, let’s face it, you can never have too many!
The course itself lasts for four days, and a couple of weeks later, you’ll get your IMI certificate. It’s important to keep evidence of your completed training and certification for compliance and future reference. When you’ve received it and got your DBS certificate, you can book your Demonstration Assessment, which is the practical test.
Final Sign-Off: DVSA MOT Demonstration Test
The final step in the process is passing the DVSA MOT demonstration test. Only the DVSA can do the final sign-off. When booking your demonstration test, you must select an approved test location, such as a Vehicle Test Station or training centre, to ensure your assessment is conducted at a recognised site.
When they attend your place of work to carry out the Demonstration Assessment, bear in mind they’ll also be doing a Site Review so they will be checking your Vehicle testing stations (also informally known as MOT testing station or test centre). They’re checking not just you, but the setup at your garage too. As part of the demonstration assessment, you will be required to perform thorough pre test checks to ensure vehicle safety and compliance before carrying out mot tests. So make sure everything’s as it should be before they turn up as they don’t miss a trick!
If you successfully pass the demonstration assessment, you become a nominated tester and are authorised to start carrying out MOT tests at an approved test centre.
Here’s what to expect from a site review
MOT Annual Training and Assessment
Annual refresher courses are a regulatory requirement for MOT Testers. Every year, MOT Testers must complete at least 3 hours of annual refresher courses and record this online on the MOT testing service. This should be followed by successfully passing the MOT annual assessment. The new period starts every March! If you don’t complete your refresher training and assessment, your MOT Tester role gets suspended.
Bottom line?
Becoming an MOT Tester isn’t rocket science, but it does take proper graft and know-how. If you’ve got the skills and you’re ready to learn, we’ll help you get there (biscuits included!).
If you’ve got any questions just give us a shout, we’ve helped hundreds of technicians get accredited and we’re always happy to help.