Guidance

Provide MOT training courses

How to provide MOT tester and manager qualification courses, and MOT tester annual training courses – including the topics the training must cover.

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published
5 August 2016
Last updated
1 December 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Types of MOT training

There are 2 types of MOT training you can provide:

  • MOT tester and manager qualification courses
  • MOT tester annual training courses

You must be approved by an awarding organisation to provide qualification courses.

You don’t need to be approved to provide annual training courses.

Provide qualification courses

You can get approval to provide these MOT qualifications:

  • Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (classes 1 and 2 - motorcycles)
  • Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (classes 4 and 7 - light vehicles)
  • Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management

Apply for approval

Contact an awarding organisation to find out:

  • if you’re eligible to be a training provider
  • how to register with them

You can register with more than one.

SEG Awards

mot.abcawards.co.uk
Telephone: 0115 854 1620
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Institute of the Motor Industry

www.imiawards.org.uk
Telephone: 01992 511 521
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

City & Guilds

www.cityandguilds.com
Telephone: 0844 543 0000
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

When you’re approved

You’ll be responsible for approving individual MOT trainers to run the qualification courses.

The awarding organisations you register with will give you more information about running the courses.

Provide annual training

MOT testers must complete training between April and March every year. You can provide training courses for them to take.

MOT testers have to study different topics depending on whether they test:

  • class 1 and 2 vehicles (‘group A’)
  • class 3, 4, 5, 7 vehicles (‘group B’)

Most of the questions will be about specific topics. Some of the questions could be about other topics from the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide.

2024 to 2025 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Group A

Testers who test vehicles in group A need to know about:

Group B

Testers who test vehicles in group B need to know about:

Groups A and B

MOT testers who test vehicles in both group A and group B need to study all the topics. They will need to train for at least 6 hours a year (instead of 3) and take 2 annual assessments.

Questions on corrosion and standards of repair

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • identifying and assessing corrosion
  • prescribed areas
  • non-prescribed areas
  • load area
  • load bearing and supportive structures
  • tow bar mountings
  • suitable materials used in repair
  • bonded repairs
  • repairs to alloy/steel wheels
  • non-metallic structures, such as carbon fibre
  • brake pipes
  • cab and body mountings (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • chassis types (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • frame arrangements including sidecars (class 1 and 2 vehicles only)
  • when the engine is a stressed member (class 1 and 2 vehicles only)

Questions on classification of vehicles

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • non-testable items relating to vehicles identified as mopeds
  • EU classification of vehicles (goods vehicles, cars, pickups, quads, motor caravans, mopeds, solo motorcycles, motorcycle and sidecars)
  • what to do when the weight or power output of vehicle presented for MOT test is not known (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • seat belt requirements for quadracycles (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • identification of quadracycles (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • the classification of a goods vehicle converted into a motor caravan (for example, seating capacity) and which brake test should be carried out (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • which brake test should be carried out on a dual purpose pickup (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)

Questions on test procedures applicable to all classes

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • correct use of advisory items
  • correct use of the term ‘excessive’
  • calibration of equipment
  • contingency testing
  • what to do if you’ve forgotten your password or user identification 
  • who can test three-wheeled vehicles
  • what to do when the distance between the centres of the areas of contact between the wheels and the road surface is less than 460mm
  • what to do when the distance between the centres of the areas of contact between the wheels and the road surface is 460mm or more
  • what to check during the retest of a vehicle
  • what to do during the pre-check
  • what to do when the vehicle does not have a current MOT and the customer is trying to arrange an appointment
  • what to do if the vehicle you’re about to test still has 2 months or more remaining on the MOT
  • wheel alignment of three-wheeled vehicles (class 1 and 2 vehicles only)
  • who can test class 5 vehicles (class 4 and 7 testers only)

Questions on the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide

Please be aware that the content of the inspection manuals and testing guide may change. The topics will be listed below.

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • major fail items identified during pre-check
  • what to do if a vehicle requires a decelerometer check and dangerous defect has been identified during the test
  • equipment failures during a test
  • local IT issues during a test
  • national IT issues with the MOT testing service during a test
  • training logs
  • what you must do if you get a criminal conviction
  • cessation periods
  • action or points awarded if you apply incorrect standards for pass, major and dangerous
  • what action DVSA may take if you deliberately carry out MOT testing incorrectly or do not follow the procedure in the MOT testing guide and inspection manual (this information is available in Appendix 8 of the MOT testing guide)

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group A:

  • what to do if a steering damper is fitted
  • what to do if ABS is fitted but not working
  • what to do if there is significant parallel misalignment of the road wheels

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group B:

  • checking seat belt fitment and condition
  • child seats held by isofix, ratchet straps, carabiners, nuts and bolts and also the vehicle’s own seat belt
  • emission and smoke testing temperatures, basic emissions test not passed, diesel vehicle plate limits
  • brake testing for class 4 three-wheelers and quadracycles

2025 to 2026 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Group A

Testers who test vehicles in group A need to know about:

Group B

Testers who test vehicles in group B need to know about:

Groups A and B

MOT testers who test vehicles in both group A and group B need to study all the topics. They will need to train for at least 6 hours a year (instead of 3) and take 2 annual assessments.

Questions on electric, hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles, disabled rider and driver controls, and vehicle modifications

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • identifying these vehicles (some electric bicycles are subject to MOT test)
  • emissions, smoke and visual tests on hybrid vehicles (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • what to do if the beam jack cannot extend clear of the batteries in the floor of an electric vehicle (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
  • identifying high voltage cables (not all are orange)
  • health and safety
  • testing hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems
  • disabled driver and rider controls (as an addition to normal vehicle controls and when replacing normal vehicle controls)
  • road testing vehicles fitted with disabled driver and rider controls
  • fuel caps and flaps

Questions on information in the MOT testing guide

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • replacement certificates
  • disciplinary procedures, points evaluation and possible action
  • MOT contingency test procedures
  • who to contact in situations like dealing with an incorrectly registered vehicle, needing testing advice, appealing against disciplinary action, and replacing certificates

Questions on test procedures applicable to all classes

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • using turning plates correctly
  • using an assistant in both the bike and car test one-person test lane (OPTL) and automated test lane (ATL)
  • suspension checks, suspension bearing seized on a car
  • using the decelerometer
  • smoke test, temperature
  • smoke test pre-checks
  • smoke test plated values
  • noise
  • sound deadening material, noise suppression
  • fuel system (gas powered vehicles leak check) heat shields, leaks
  • headlamp alignment
  • brake test procedures

Questions on test procedures applicable to class 4 and 7 vehicles only

MOT testers will be asked questions about items to consider in emissions testing and smoke testing. This includes:

  • the age of the vehicle
  • seating capacity
  • L category vehicles
  • modified engine or emission control equipment
  • goods vehicles
  • conversions

Questions on test procedures applicable to motorcycle class 1 and 2 vehicles only

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • suspension movement (acceptable or not acceptable)
  • wheel misalignment (shaft drive)
  • belt drive
  • broken or modified levers
  • footrests (missing or not required, single seat conversion)
  • reflectors (position, size, shape)
  • exhaust modified
  • fuel leak
  • battery security

Questions on the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide

These are some examples of the subjects all MOT testers will be asked questions about:

  • number plates (including vehicle registration dates for grey characters or 3D effects)
  • using an assistant in both the bike and car test one-person test lane (OPTL) and automated test lane (ATL)
  • lighting
  • when the interaction between lamps is acceptable or not acceptable (for example, a daytime running lamp (DRL) is permitted to switch off when the same side indicator is operating)
  • locking devices

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group A:

  • front and rear position lamps can be incorporated with the direction indicator lamps – the position lamp on the same side of the direction indicator may or may not switch off when the indicator is switched on
  • the DRL can function as a front position lamp – it may or may not switch off or dim when the headlamps are switched on and the engine is running
  • clutch and throttle controls (friction device, does not return to idle)
  • number plate lamps
  • indicator lamps, position (moped, solo, side car)
  • testing a motorbike with linked brakes
  • checking steering linkage
  • checking steering head bearings
  • checking a solo machine without a centre stand

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group B:

  • anti-theft devices (M1 not N1 after 2001)
  • correct use of turning plates (all checks)
  • speedometer operation
  • warning lamps (electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), seat belt supplementary restraint system (SRS), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or engine management light (EML))
  • mirrors

Updates to this page

Published 5 August 2016
Last updated 1 December 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added the MOT annual training and assessment topics for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

  2. Removed the MOT annual training and assessment topics for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

  3. Added the MOT annual training and assessment topics for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

  4. Added MOT training course topics for 2023 to 2024.

  5. Added MOT training course topics for 2022 to 2023.

  6. Removed the 2020 to 2021 training topics

  7. Added the training topics for 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022.

  8. Removed the 2019 to 2020 training topics.

  9. Added the annual training and assessment topics for April 2020 to March 2021.

  10. Added the annual training and assessment topics for April 2019 to March 2020.

  11. Added information about providing MOT tester annual training courses.

  12. First published.

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