Guidance

Fix mistakes on your MOT record: privacy notice

Updated 2 December 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dvsa-privacy-notices/fix-mistakes-on-your-mot-record-privacy-notice

1. About this service

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for ensuring that motor vehicles are roadworthy, this is achieved by way of an MOT test. MOT testers record test results using the MOT testing service. DVSA can fix mistakes on an MOT record if the MOT was carried out longer than 28 days ago, if someone can prove that it is incorrect. DVSA is an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The data controller for DVSA is DfT – a data controller determines the reasons and how personal data is processed. For more information, see the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Data Protection Public Register. DfT’s registration number is Z7122992.

2. What data we collect from you

The personal data we collect from you includes:

  • name
  • address
  • email address
  • driving licence number
  • vehicle registration mark
  • signed authority for someone to act on your behalf
  • any personal data provided on any evidence you submit as part of fix mistakes on your MOT record

If your scan or photo of evidence includes payment details, you must blank it out or remove it before sending it to us.

The lawful basis for processing this data is public task.

3. Why we need it

We need the personal data we collect from you to:

  • approve or reject applications to fix mistakes on your MOT record
  • contact you about your application to fix mistakes on your MOT record

4. What we do with it

We collect, use and store the data you give us for the reasons set out in this policy.

We will not:

  • sell or rent your data to third parties
  • share your data with third parties for marketing purposes

We have access to the registered keeper details within the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s vehicle services system to check who the current registered keeper is to ensure that the right person is requesting the change.

We will review the information you’ve sent and decide what to do next. If we suspect that you have provided false information or failed to provide information we could decide to investigate, which may include:

  • sharing the data with DVSA vehicle examiners
  • sharing the data with other government departments and law enforcement agencies

We will share your data if required to do so by law – for example, by court order, or to prevent fraud or other crime.

5. How long we keep your data

We’ll only keep your personal data for as long as it is needed for the reasons set out in this policy or as long as is required by law.

We will hold your personal data for up to one year.

If we suspect that you have provided false information or failed to provide information, we could decide to investigate. If we carry out an investigation, we will hold your personal data for whichever of these is longest:

  • no more than 7 years after the end of an investigation
  • 7 years after the end of any court sentence has expired following information you gave to us

You can find out how we handle your data in our other privacy notices, for example our counter-fraud privacy notice on GOV.UK.

6. Where it might go

Our IT infrastructure and technology has been checked to make sure it’s safe and secure.

All your data is held on DVSA servers based in the UK or hosted within cloud services based in the European Economic Area (EEA). They meet security safeguards equivalent to those required by data protection legislation.

7. Protecting your data and your rights

The DVSA personal information charter sets out what steps are taken to protect your data, and the rights you have over your data.

8. Automated decision making and profiling

Your data is not subject to automated decision making or profiling as defined in data protection legislation.

9. Changes to this notice

We may change this privacy notice at our discretion at any time.

When we change this notice, the date on the page will be updated. Any changes to this privacy notice will be applied to you and your data as of the revision date.

We encourage you to periodically review this privacy notice to be informed about how your data is protected.

10. How to contact us

If you have any questions about anything in this document, or if you consider that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, you can contact the DVSA data protection manager.

DVSA data protection manager

Data Protection Manager
DVSA
1 Unity Square
Nottingham
NG2 1AY

Contact DVSA customer services if you have a query that is not about how your personal data is used.

You may also make a complaint to the Information Commissioner if you’re not happy with the way we responded to your complaint about how we handled your data. They provide independent advice about data protection, privacy and data sharing issues.

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