Vehicle test and certificate costs: HGVs and trailers (at authorised testing facilities)
Updated 1 April 2022
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heavy-goods-vehicle-fees/vehicle-test-and-certificate-costs-lorries-and-trailers-at-authorised-testing-facilities
This guide sets out the fees and average test times for having heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and trailer tests done at private testing facilities (called ‘authorised testing facilities’ or ‘ATFs’).
The tests are still carried out by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) assessors.
There are different fees for HGV and trailer tests done at DVSA test centres, HGV approval tests and bus and coach tests.
Check which type of fee applies
The fee will depend on:
- test type
- how many axles your vehicle has
Service charge for using an ATF
The ATF can charge you a service fee (sometimes called a pit fee) for using their facilities. The table shows the maximum they can charge you.
| Vehicle type | Maximum service charge |
|---|---|
| HGV | £55 |
| Trailer | £40 |
The ATF can charge 2 service charges if your vehicle is having a dangerous goods (ADR) test followed by an MOT during the same visit.
MOT tests (also known as an ‘annual test’)
Lorries, buses and coaches, and trailers must be tested each year. The first test should be 12 months after the vehicle was first registered with DVLA.
Find out how the MOT for lorries, buses and trailers works.
In this section:
HGV MOT tests
In this section:
2-axle vehicle
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £91 | 40 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £35 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £91 | 40 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £13 | Test length varies |
3-axle vehicle
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £113 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £49 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £113 | 45 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £13 | Test length varies |
4 or more axle vehicle
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £137 | 55 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £65 | 15 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £137 | 55 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £13 | Test length varies |
Trailer MOT tests
In this section:
1-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £41 | 20 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £18 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £41 | 20 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £7 | Test length varies |
2-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £54 | 25 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £25 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £54 | 25 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £7 | Test length varies |
3-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £64 | 30 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £33 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £64 | 30 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £7 | Test length varies |
4-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £64 | 35 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £33 | 15 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £64 | 35 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £7 | Test length varies |
5-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| MOT | £64 | 40 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £33 | 15 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £64 | 40 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £7 | Test length varies |
Prohibition removal
The police and DVSA have the power to carry out spot checks on your vehicle and issue prohibitions if necessary. A prohibition prevents you from driving until you get a problem with your vehicle fixed.
You have to have your vehicle inspected to remove the prohibitions. Depending on how serious the faults are, your vehicle might need a:
- full inspection - this is the same as a full MOT test
- partial inspection - only the items that were prohibited are tested, as well as some safety-critical items such as brakes and steering
If your vehicle doesn’t pass the inspection you should add 5 minutes to the average test length to allow for completion of paperwork.
In this section:
HGV prohibition removals
In this section:
2-axle vehicle
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £91 | 40 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £35 | 20 minutes |
3-axle vehicle
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £113 | 45 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £49 | 20 minutes |
4 or more axle vehicle
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £137 | 55 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £65 | 25 minutes |
Trailer prohibition removals
In this section:
1-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £41 | 20 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £18 | 15 minutes |
2-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £54 | 25 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £25 | 15 minutes |
3-axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £64 | 30 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £33 | 15 minutes |
4 or more axle trailer
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection | £64 | 35 minutes |
| Partial inspection | £33 | 15 minutes |
HGV voluntary tests and checks
In this section:
2-axle vehicle
Tests
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £78.60 | £15.72 | £94.32 | 40 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £52.40 | £10.48 | £62.88 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £78.60 | £15.72 | £94.32 | 40 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £18.49 | £3.70 | £ 22.19 | 10 minutes |
Checks
| Test or check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake test | £17.48 | £3.50 | £20.98 | 15 minutes |
| Hire of loaded trailers for brake test of solo tractor units | £29.50 | £5.90 | £35.40 | N/A |
| Smoke test | £13.26 | £2.65 | £15.91 | 5 minutes |
| Headlamp aim check | £12.07 | £2.41 | £14.48 | 10 minutes |
| Multi-check (headlamp aim, smoke and brake test) | £39.79 | £7.96 | £47.75 | 25 minutes |
3-axle vehicle
Tests
| Test type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £112.51 | £22.50 | £135.01 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £73.98 | £14.80 | £88.78 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £112.51 | £22.50 | £135.01 | 45 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £18.49 | £3.70 | £ 22.19 | 10 minutes |
Checks
| Check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake test | £22.91 | £4.58 | £27.49 | 15 minutes |
| Hire of loaded trailers for brake test of solo tractor units | £29.50 | £5.90 | £35.40 | N/A |
| Smoke test | £13.26 | £2.65 | £15.91 | 5 minutes |
| Headlamp aim check | £12.07 | £2.41 | £14.48 | 10 minutes |
| Multi-check (headlamp aim, smoke and brake test) | £39.79 | £7.96 | £47.75 | 25 minutes |
4 or more axle vehicle
Tests
| Test type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £147.96 | £29.59 | £177.55 | 45 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £97.10 | £19.42 | £116.52 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £147.96 | £29.59 | £177.55 | 45 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £18.49 | £3.70 | £ 22.19 | 10 minutes |
Checks
| Check type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake test | £25.32 | £5.06 | £30.38 | 20 minutes |
| Hire of loaded trailers for brake test of solo tractor units | £29.50 | £5.90 | £35.40 | N/A |
| Smoke test | £13.26 | £2.65 | £15.91 | 5 minutes |
| Headlamp aim check | £12.07 | £2.41 | £14.48 | 10 minutes |
| Multi-check (headlamp aim, smoke and brake test) | £39.79 | £7.96 | £47.75 | 25 minutes |
Trailer voluntary tests
In this section:
1-axle trailer
| Test type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £38.53 | £7.71 | £46.24 | 20 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £26.20 | £5.24 | £31.44 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £38.53 | £7.71 | £46.24 | 20 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £9.25 | £1.85 | £11.10 | 10 minutes |
2-axle trailer
| Test type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £58.57 | £11.71 | £70.28 | 25 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £36.99 | £15.72 | £44.39 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £58.57 | £11.71 | £70.28 | 25 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £9.25 | £1.85 | £11.10 | 10 minutes |
3-axle or more trailer
| Test type | Service charge | VAT | Total | Average test length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test | £73.98 | £14.79 | £88.77 | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Retests within 14 days | £49.32 | £9.86 | £59.18 | 10 minutes |
| Retests after 14 days | £73.98 | £14.79 | £88.77 | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Part-paid retests | £9.25 | £1.85 | £11.10 | 10 minutes |
Appeals
You can appeal an HGV or trailer MOT result if you think it’s wrong.
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Appeal | £39 |
Replacement certificates
You can apply to get replacement HGV or trailer plating and testing documents if the originals have been lost, stolen or defaced.
| Document type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Test certificate | £13 |
| Plating certificate | £13 |
ADR test for vehicles carrying dangerous or hazardous goods
The ADR is a specialist test for vehicles carrying dangerous or hazardous goods in bulk by road. Find out how the ADR test works.
| Test type | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application and full retest | £83 | 35 minutes added to MOT time |
| Re-test within 14 days | £39 | 30 minutes |
| New type approved artic tractor certificate | £28 | N/A |
| Duplicate certificate | £14 | N/A |
Notifiable alterations
You must tell DVSA if you make changes to either vehicle specification or plating details.
| Test type | Cost | Average length |
|---|---|---|
| Notifiable alterations | £27 | 25 minutes |
Low emissions certificate
You can get your vehicle tested for a low emissions certificate (LEC). This lets you drive in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) without paying.
| When the test is done | Cost | Average test length |
|---|---|---|
| With an MOT | £18 | 10 minutes added to MOT time |
| Separately from an MOT | £30 | 10 minutes |
Refrigerated or heated trucks and trailers
There are separate fees for the tests you need to get a refrigerated or heated truck or trailer approved to transport perishable in or out of the UK.
TIR test for quicker border crossings
The TIR system allows UK customs officials to pack and seal goods before they’re transported outside the EU. This means that the load will not need to be opened and inspected by customs officials at border crossings.
Your vehicle must pass a test to make sure that:
- nothing can be put into or taken from the vehicle without it being obvious
- the goods compartment is built so that it has to be accessed from both inside and outside to be removed and replaced