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You must meet a number of legal requirements if you want to set up an MOT test station.

Set up the test station

You need:

• suitable premises and approved equipment for the vehicle classes you want to test
• an authorised examiner (AE)

The AE is an individual, partnership or company authorised by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The AE is responsible for making sure that:

• MOT tests are properly conducted
• the test facilities and equipment are checked and well-maintained
• MOT documents are correctly stored and access to electronic MOT test systems is only given to eligible users
• the MOT testers are assessed correctly and complete training and assessments
• DVSA staff have access to the premises for checks on staff and equipment
• DVSA is informed about significant changes to the business within 7 working days

Start MOT testing

Before you can carry out MOT testing you also need:

• an MOT business manager (sometimes called an 鈥�AE designated manager鈥�) who is in charge of all MOT testing by your business
• an MOT tester approved for the vehicle classes you want to test

The MOT business manager must have taken an approved course, for example the former 2-day DVSA course or a level 3 award in MOT Test Centre Management.

Find an MOT manager qualification course and book it with the course provider.

You have to pay to take the course. The price is set by the course provider.

You need an authorised examiner (AE) to set up an MOT test station. The AE can be an individual, partnership or company.

How to apply

Send form VT01 to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The address is on the form.

Use the same form if you already have AE status and want to open a test station.

The application form has guidance notes explaining the information you need to include. There is no fee.

If your application is refused, DVSA will write to you - you can appeal the decision and ask for a hearing by writing to DVSA within 14 days.

When you must reapply

You must reapply for AE status if your company is reconstructed in a way that means it鈥檚 given a new company registration number.

You need to make sure that your equipment and premises are suitable for the vehicle classes you plan to test.

Equipment

You need to have a:

• computer, laptop or tablet with internet connection
• printer

These need to met the minimum IT specification.

Approved testing equipment

Different classes of vehicle need different specialist test equipment.

You must make sure you have at least the minimum level for each vehicle class you鈥檙e approved to test.

All equipment must be kept in good working order and calibrated properly.

You鈥檒l need to use approved equipment for:

• brake pedal application devices
• decelerometers
• diesel smoke meters
• exhaust gas analysers (catalyst vehicles)
• exhaust gas analysers (non-catalyst vehicles)
• headlamp aim testers
• plate brake testers
• roller brake testers
• tow bar socket testers
• tyre tread depth gauges
• wheel play detectors

There are 3 categories of decelerometers:

• category A are approved for all classes of vehicle
• category B are approved for class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles
• category C are approved for class 1 and 2 vehicles

You can download the lists of approved equipment.

Premises

You need to make sure your premises are suitable and testing bay sizes are correct for the vehicle classes you鈥檒l be testing. You can find the minimum standards in the MOT testing guide.

Approval in principle

Your premises will be given an approval in principle when you apply for authorised examiner (AE) status. This will help you avoid committing to expensive work or alterations before your premises are approved.

If you鈥檝e already got AE status and want to make changes to the test facilities, write to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before you make any changes. Include supporting drawings, to show that the changes will not affect the testing station鈥檚 approval.

You must clearly and publicly display the MOT test fees and appeals poster (VT9A) in your station.

You should conduct regular checks to make sure your MOT testing station meets the best practice standards at all times.

Prepare for site reviews

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will carry out regular risk-based site reviews of your station to make sure you continue to meet the standards.

This will involve checking your station is well maintained and that it offers clean and comfortable facilities, for example suitable customer waiting areas.

Learn about changes to MOT rules

DVSA uses 鈥榮pecial notices鈥� to tell you about changes to the MOT scheme. Authorised examiners (AEs) receive these automatically within the online MOT testing service.

If your service is not good enough

DVSA can take disciplinary action or stop you operating as a testing station if your service is not good enough.

If you lose AE status for disciplinary reasons, anyone else applying for AE status at the same test station must prove they鈥檙e sufficiently independent from you.