Special notice 04-23: updates to MOT testing guide and test certificates
Published 7 December 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
The MOT testing guide was updated on 6 December 2023.
To see the full list of changes, select ‘see all updates’ at the top of the MOT testing guide to see what’s been updated.
Updates include:
- changes to printing test certificates
- MOT noticeboards
- viewing areas
- roller brake testing areas, when protruding outside of the building
- consideration of repute and holding other MOT roles
MOT test certificates and emission test records
Since 1 September 2021, it’s been optional to issue a paper VT20 pass certificate. This was confirmed in MOT special notice 04-21.
At the same time, DVSA confirmed that a paper VT30 fail certificate must still be issued.
But from 6 December 2023, MOT testing businesses will have the flexibility to not issue a paper VT30 fail certificate if the customer is able and willing to access the test result on the MOT history service.
If the customer makes a specific request to have a certificate, you must issue one.
Emission test records
Since 11 January 2021, it’s been optional to issue a record of the emissions test to the customer if the vehicle passes the test. This was confirmed in MOT special notice 03-20.
If the vehicle fails the test, the emissions record must be issued to the customer.
You must still keep emissions records for all test results for 3 months.