Set up an authorised testing facility (ATF) to test HGVs, trailers and buses
How to set up an MOT centre for HGVs, trailers, buses and coaches including eligibility, what you need and how to apply.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
You must get approval from DVSA to set up an MOT centre for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), trailers, buses and coaches (sometimes called an ‘authorised testing facility’ or ATF).
You’ll provide the premises and DVSA will provide you with assessors to carry out the tests.
Once your site has been approved by DVSA, you can:
- have DVSA staff test your own vehicles at your site
- charge a service fee (sometimes called a pit fee) for other companies to have their vehicle’s tested at your site
You will not able to test cars, motorcycles or small vans. To test these types of vehicles, you must apply to set up an MOT centre for cars, motorcycles and small vans.
Check if you’re eligible
DVSA are currently only accepting a limited number of applications. To be eligible to apply, your proposed site must be either:
- a move of premises for an existing site - but it must be in the same local area
- in Orkney or the mainland Scottish Highlands
- in the south of England, and can test laden dangerous goods vehicles such as petrol tankers (red sites only)
- able to show that the new site will significantly improve the service to heavy vehicle operators in that area - you should include all the possible efficiency benefits of your proposed site when you apply
What you need to set up and start testing
You must meet a number of legal requirements before you can open.
You’ll need to be approved by DVSA and make sure you have:
- suitable premises
- approved testing equipment
You can find full details of everything you need in schedule 5 of the .
Premises
Your site must:
- have planning permission to be used as a test centre
- have an insurance policy with a suitable excess
- have an entrance and exit for vehicles so they can enter and leave the site in a forward direction
- have unobstructed access from its entrance to the entrance of the building which contains the test bay
- have access from a suitable road
- be weatherproof
- have communication equipment and office space
- have wifi - you need a stable wifi internet connection for DVSA staff to use at your site, it needs a speed of at least 1.2Mbps and should be WPA2 password protected
- comply with current health and safety provisions
Testing area
Your testing area must have:
- a flat and level floor
- space suitable to test the category, size and type of vehicles you wish to test
- a minimum of at least 1.5m between any vehicle entrance and exit door and the pit or any fixed equipment
- adequate ventilation or a system to stop the build-up of exhaust fumes
- an effective microphone and speaker system - so you can communicate with DVSA staff or customers during the test if you need to
- wifi - you need a stable wifi connection for DVSA staff to use throughout the testing area
Testing equipment
You need to have approved testing equipment.
You will need:
- computer controlled roller brake tester
- pit, hoist, or lift
- jacking equipment
Depending on what vehicles you test you might also need:
- load simulator or a system to make sure vehicles and trailers are sufficiently loaded so a meaningful brake test can be performed
- exhaust gas analyser
- diesel smoke meter
- headlamp tester
- wheel play detectors
Costs
When you’re deciding whether to set up a test centre there are a number of costs that you should consider.
Up-front investment
You’ll need to consider costs for:
- land
- a permanent weatherproof building
- building a test lane to meet the requirements
- testing equipment
Annual operating costs
You need to consider costs for upkeep of the:
- equipment
- test lane
- buildings
You also need to consider costs for:
- accommodation
- the use of test lanes
- labour (non DVSA)
- required return on investment
This is not an exhaustive list and you need to consider your own benefits and costs.
DVSA won’t pay you an annual fee.
Apply to set up a test centre
To apply to get your centre approved, you need to send:
- an application form
- your site layout plans - including site plan and drawing of test bay layout
- your health and safety policy
There’s no fee to apply.
How to apply
-
Download and save the application form on your computer before you start to fill it in
-
Open the form on your computer, fill it in and save it again
-
Email the form to contract4atf@dvsa.gov.uk. You need to attach any documents to support your application.
Email contract4atf@dvsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about your application.
Send the form by post
You can also send the application by post.
ATF Applications
DVSA
Goods & Services Category
Berkeley House
3rd Floor Croydon Street
Bristol
BS5 0DA
What happens after you have applied
You should get a response by post within 2 weeks of sending in your application.
DVSA will contact you to discuss site development if your application is ‘provisionally accepted’.
If it’s rejected, DVSA will explain why, and tell you what you need to do if you want to apply again.
Don’t start any building work or buy equipment until your application has been approved. You won’t be able to reclaim these costs if it’s turned down.
Site inspection and approval
DVSA will carry out an initial site inspection and a final site inspection before you can be approved to open.
Site inspections
You’ll get a report once DVSA has visited your site - usually within a week.
If your site passes the initial inspection, you might need a final inspection before you get approved.
You’ll be told what needs to be done if it fails the inspection and given a deadline to send in new plans.
DVSA will send you a letter telling you what you need to do if your site fails its final inspection.
When your application has been approved
When DVSA has given final approval you’ll get a certificate (called an ATF 9 certificate) and you can open your site.
You should read the manage your ATF guidance.
This guide includes information on managing your centre, health and safety requirements, equipment and the fees you can charge.
Updates to this page
Last updated 23 May 2024 + show all updates
-
Updated section E of the application form to: - include sole traders in the list of who can sign declarations - remove part of section E3: Declare your company or partnership has unspent criminal convictions - add a new column (name and position) to the table of unspent criminal convictions - add section E4: Declaration of matters capable of affecting repute - add section E5: Declaration of no potential sources of disrepute
-
Updated the sample ATF contract.
-
Updated sample contract: - new reference number format - new section about use of CCTV cameras - added space for dates to signature page - updated contact details for team that manages contracts at DVSA - added space for contract signatory to site information page
-
Updated: - 'Check if you're eligible 'section - added that it's for red sites only to 'in the south of England, and can test laden dangerous goods vehicles such as petrol tankers' - 'testing equipment' section - split into 2 lists of what you need and what you might need depending on what vehicles you test
-
Removed: - DVSA has temporarily stopped accepting applications to set up new ATFs - section on operating an ATF Added - the eligibility criteria - application form and how to apply to set up an ATF
-
Added a link to guidance on when to carry out a health and safety induction for DVSA assessors and what it must include.
-
Removed reference to guidance about carrying out a health and safety induction for DVSA assessors. This guidance has not yet been published.
-
Added a link to guidance on when to carry out a health and safety induction for DVSA assessors and what it must include.
-
First published.