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How to apply for a vehicle model report, step deflection test, tilt test or TIR test at a non-DVSA site

Updated 13 April 2023

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-model-report-or-tilt-examination-at-a-non-dvsa-site/apply-for-a-model-report-or-tilt-examination-at-a-non-dvsa-site-guidance-notes

1. What to use this form for

Use this form if you’re:

  • getting a vehicle approved under the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme which requires a specified model report examination or a step deflection or tilt test to be witnessed
  • getting a certificate of initial fitness (COIF) for a bus or coach and require a step deflection or tilt test to be witnessed
  • increasing a vehicle’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) using a specified model report
  • getting a TIR test for lorries and trailers for quicker border crossings

You do not need to fill in this form to have the vehicle tested at an authorised privately owned testing facility (POTF).

2. How to apply for a test at a non-DVSA site as part of an IVA test

You can apply for a test when you’re getting these types of vehicles approved through the IVA scheme:

  1. Apply for IVA using the IVA application form for your vehicle type. Fill in the form and send it to DVSA following the instructions on the IVA application page. You’ll get an application reference number.

  2. Download and fill in the IVA 9 application form to have one of the listed tests done at a non-DVSA site. You will need to include the application reference number you got from step 1. Choose a test date at least 10 working days away when you fill in the form.

  3. Save the IVA 9 application form on your computer.

  4. Send the IVA 9 application form to DVSA using the service to apply for IVA.

  5. DVSA will email you to confirm your main IVA test application (from step 1) has been processed. This can take up to 10 working days.

  6. After you get the email, call DVSA to arrange your main IVA test.

  7. DVSA will contact you separately about the IVA 9 appointment at a non-DVSA site. You may need to pay an extra fee.

DVSA Approvals test bookings
Telephone: 0300 200 1188
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

An IVA test can be on a different day from the IVA 9 testing carried out at a non-DVSA site. Either test can be done first.

In the case of a model report test, your vehicle must be dismantled and ready for examination for when the examiner arrives. The model report owner should be able to advise you on this.

3. How to apply for a test at a non-DVSA site as part of a COIF test

You can apply for a test at a non-DVSA site when you apply for a certificate of initial fitness (COIF) for a bus or coach.

  1. Apply for a COIF using the main application form. Fill in the form and send it to DVSA following the instructions on the apply for vehicle test for a bus or coach page. You’ll get an application reference number.

  2. Download and fill in the IVA 9 application form to have one of the listed tests done at a non-DVSA site. You will need to include the application reference number you got from step 1. Choose a test date at least 10 working days away when you fill in the form.

  3. Save the IVA 9 application form on your computer.

  4. Send the IVA 9 application form to DVSA using the service to apply for vehicle test for a bus or coach.

  5. DVSA will email you to confirm your main application (from step 1) has been processed. This can take up to 10 working days.

  6. After you get the email, call DVSA to arrange the main test.

  7. DVSA will contact you separately about the IVA 9 appointment at a non-DVSA site. You may need to pay an extra fee.

DVSA Approvals test bookings
Telephone: 0300 200 1188
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

The COIF test can be on a different day from the IVA 9 testing carried out at a non-DVSA site. Either test can be done first.

In the case of a model report test, your vehicle must be dismantled and ready for examination for when the examiner arrives. The model report owner should be able to advise you on this.

4. How to apply for a test at a non-DVSA site as part of a notifiable alteration (VTG 10 or VTP 5) or first annual test (VTG 1)

You can apply for a test when you:

  1. Fill in a VTG 10, VTP 5 or VTG 1 form and send it to DVSA following the instructions on the application page. You’ll get an application reference number.

  2. Download and fill in the IVA 9 application form to have one of the listed tests done at a non-DVSA site. You need the application reference number you got from step 1. Choose a test date at least 10 working days away when you fill in the form.

  3. Save the IVA 9 application form on your computer.

  4. Send the IVA 9 application form to DVSA using the service to apply for vehicle test for a bus or coach if you’ve completed a VTP 5, or the service to apply for a vehicle test for a lorry or trailer if you’ve completed a VTG 10 or VTG 1.

  5. DVSA will email you to confirm your main application (from step 1) has been processed. This can take up to 10 working days.

  6. After you get the email, call DVSA to arrange your main test.

  7. DVSA will contact you separately about the IVA 9 appointment at a non-DVSA site. You may need to pay an extra fee.

DVSA test bookings
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

The VTP 5, VTG 10 or VTG 1 test can be on a different day from the IVA 9 testing carried out at a non-DVSA site. The IVA 9 test will be carried out first.

In the case of a model report test, your vehicle must be dismantled and ready for examination for when the examiner arrives. The model report owner should be able to advise you on this.

5. How to apply for a TIR test at a non-DVSA site

You can apply to have one of these TIR tests done at a non-DVSA site:

  1. Apply for the type of test you need using the application form. Fill in the form and send it to DVSA following the instructions on the apply for a vehicle test for a lorry or trailer page. You’ll get an application reference number.

  2. Download and fill in the IVA 9 application form to have the TIR test done at a non-DVSA site. You need the application reference number you got from step 1. Choose a test date at least 10 working days away when you fill in the form.

  3. Save the application form on your computer.

  4. Send the application form to DVSA using the service to apply for a vehicle test for a lorry or trailer.

  5. DVSA will email you to confirm your main application for the test itself (from step 1) has been processed. This can take up to 10 working days.

  6. DVSA will contact you about the IVA 9 appointment at a non-DVSA site.

6. Fees

You might have to pay a fee for a site visit for an examination if it’s associated with:

  • a model report for an HGV or PSV notifiable alteration
  • a model report for a first annual test
  • witnessing a step deflection or tilt test

The fee will depend on:

  • how long the test takes
  • how long it takes the DVSA examiner to travel to the site

You do not have to pay an extra fee to have a TIR carried out at a non-DVSA site.

7. Rules for the site

The site you want to have the vehicle tested at must meet health and safety rules.

The DVSA examiner can ask you for evidence that the site has had a risk assessment.

The DVSA examiner will not do the test if health and safety rules are not met, and you may be charged a fee.

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