After listening to the MOT trade's feedback we’re replacing MOT tester refresher training with a new model of annual training and assessment.
Over the past few years, MOT testers and garage owners told us how they'd like to see ‘more frequent, modular training’ put in place to help maintain their testing status.
So from April 2016 we’ll replace the old 5-year refresher course with a new programme of annual MOT training.
‘Bite-sized’ chunks
This new annual training will follow the continuing professional development (CPD) model allowing you to update your skills each year in manageable ‘bite-sized’ chunks.
The updated CPD approach will provide you with a way of refreshing your testing knowledge in way which suits you and your business over the course of a calendar year.
So in order to keep on testing, instead of taking refresher training once every 5 years, we’ll be asking you to complete at least 3 hours of MOT-based training every year, followed by an assessment.
Benefits of continuing development
We’ll publish an annual training course outline based on the latest MOT test error rates with subject areas which we know the MOT trade needs to pay more attention to.
This means all the training you undertake will be targeted to make sure you’re reading up on and practising skills which are the most relevant to today’s MOT industry.
In return, you can be sure your training will help to make a real contribution to the overall safety of vehicles on our roads.
Tester responsibilities
As the name of the training suggest, you’ll need to carry out and complete your MOT annual training every year between the start of April and the following March.
Along the way you’ll also be responsible for recording your training and then, when you’ve completed at least 3 hours, booking a final ‘reauthorisation’ assessment which you’ll need to pass to maintain your tester status.
The CPD model allows you the flexibility to mix and match your training methods based on what best suits your individual needs and requirements.
The choice is yours
For example, if you like working on your own you can decide to simply read up on the relevant skills outlined in the published syllabus and take the assessment when you feel ready.
Or, you could team up with some colleagues and run a question and answer or practical session to brush up on your skills.
Alternatively, you could pay the market rate for a professional training company to take you through what you need to know ahead of sitting the annual assessment.
Further information
Everything you need to know about how the new annual training will work and what you need to do is available in our take MOT tester annual training and assessments guidance.
There’s no need to worry - most testers already spend more than 3 hours each year updating their MOT knowledge, so the new annual training should be easy to manage.
219 comments
Comment by Tony S posted on
So I've just checked on DVSA's website--all about annual training and it's been updated.
We've had no notification of this.
So I guess that we've been told that we have to do it this way, so you have to get on and do it and find your own way through it.
We should have had a referendum about the changes to MOT Tester training and who has to pay for it.
It could have so easily been set by DVSA through a portal, But I guess it's all down to cost.
Comment by Simon posted on
Why cannot the annual training be link into a special notice / notices, so that each tester can do it online and it can be recorded by dvsa. spread over a year . No last minuite panicking
Comment by Jin posted on
The thing i dont like is looseing your liesence to test if you fail poeples jobs are on the line im the only tester in the garge good custumers will be turned away because we cant test
Comment by Peter posted on
Does anyone know what this year's syllabus is?
Comment by Peter posted on
Found it! Derrrrr!
Comment by julian posted on
had the survey about the annual training saying that they replaced the refresher course with the annual training but there has been nothing to show you how to do the training yet supposed to have started on April 1st so when will it actually start maybe we need to go on a training course to find out how to do it
Comment by martin posted on
How can you have a training start date when the training module isn't even active ?
I assume it will become available much later in the year giving us less than the 12months you said we have !
If we were as slack in recording training and sitting assessments you would be on us like a rash.
And a 50% pass rate to drive up standards !!! I don't think so.
You should hang your heads in shame DVSA.
Comment by darren posted on
Totally agree with you on that one,like you said if the shoe was on the other foot they would be all over us and giving you points against you but here we are mid april and still nothing...well done DVSA late as ever
Comment by Gary Robinson posted on
I've just spent 15 minutes reading up on headlamp aim, 15 on Drivers view, and 15 on CPD planning (on this blog). It's a start I suppose. So, if I spend another 2 and a quarter hours discussing it with my colleagues, I guess that's me done then, apart from the assessment? Not sure how to record it yet, so I've just written it down for now.
Comment by Rob Amison posted on
when on the gov site look for forms or "Take mot test annual theroy and assment. Look for " use a templet.
Then save it print it. Ther you have it a ready made form to fill your trainning in.
Comment by Richard hewitt posted on
I'm a self employed class 1and 2 tester,I have 3 garages around town I visit as needed. I trust this new test is for the tester and not each garage.also another point when I did the new computer test few years ago it was a test for all classes,so I was answering questions for classes I would never need.so when you say price will be £25 - £75,a class 1&2 will be lower price?
Comment by Razzor posted on
Always found the refresher course very helpful! Maybe go to 3 years instead of 5, but keep it FREE!
Comment by darren posted on
very true and a good idea but unfortunately they have made major cut backs,many people redundant & shut some training centres down so yr idea all be it a good one will never happen
Comment by DAVE posted on
DONT MIND SWATTING UP OVER THE YEAR,WE DO THIS ANY WAY,DONT MIND A Q&A AT THE END ,BUT WHY ANNUALLY,WHY DOES IT COST AND WHY MUST I NOT THEN CARRY OUT AN MOT AS A NT IF I FAIL,YOU CAN MISS QUITE A FEW ITEMS WHILST TESTING AND NOT LOOSE YOUR MOT TESTING STATUS UNDER DISCIPLINE,IF THE GAS FITTER INDUSTRY IS TO BE USED AS A ROLE MODEL FOR THIS,THEN THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN ACS ASSESSMENT EVERY FIVE YEAR,WHY WILL WE BE DOING IT ANNUALLY,
Comment by DAVE posted on
refresher courses are ok if you have a centre near you,we had to travel 90 mile there then 90 mile back then the same again the next day,for what ? to talk about living vans and outdated stuff like that,and we still dont know what a duel purpose vehicle is.its ok for the main dealer boys as it was a 2 day jolly for them,but us independents it was men away who could be earning and mots cancelled as the only NT was away,this will be better I think,I hope !,but it still has many issues for contention
Comment by DS posted on
THE IDEA OF THESE CHANGES IS QUOTE "PROFESSIONALISM THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF NATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS ",FORGIVE ME BUT FOR ALL THOSE TIME SERVED CITY AND GUILD, NATIONAL CRAFTSMAN,FULL TECHNOLOGICAL CERTIFICATE AND IMI CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OUT THERE ARE THEY NOT NATIONALLY RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ,YES I DONT HAVE ANY NVQS,SURELY ALL MOT TESTERS ARE FULLY TIME SERVED QUALIFIED MECHANICS WHAT OTHER EXTRA QUALIFICATION DO WE NEED AFTER 30 YEARS OF TESTING
Comment by Shahed posted on
Think everybody is over reacting and I can understand why’ ignorance breeds fear and this is a direct result of so many people “IN THE KNOW” claiming they know exactly what’s coming and how it will work. My trade organisation CVTS who have been assimilating information coming out of DVSA, VOSA and before them Vehicle Inspector since 1998 have told me “Keep Calm And Carry On” when everything is finalised they will walk me through it.
Comment by darren posted on
very true too much speculation going on,it tells you all you need to know on the system,why dont we all wait till it comes out
Comment by Stephen posted on
True. But none the less I think NT's are scared of having to use the pc.
I for 1 would rather sit in a class room.
At least when you chat to other NT's you can faults on other vehicles I work for Ford so miss out on other make of vehicles faults sometimes..
Comment by darren posted on
i understand i use to work for a renault dealership & it wasnt till i worked for a garage i found out more about other makes and there faults,but unfortunately nowadays everything is being done by computers and its the way forward and we have to keep up,personally i hate using a computer but to keep with all the new things coming out on cars now i have to use a computer,and the test is multiple answers anyway i really dont think its going to be that bad
Comment by Daniel o'Brien posted on
To be honest I think a lot of people are over worrying the fact . If the test is anything like the old tests it isn't rocket science . If I remember from the old test you were able to use the manual anyway .Relaying info from there. An hour every now and then threw out a year will hardly be the end of the world (although I'd rather spend it with my family) I'm thinking it doesn't even have to be an hour a time so long as the training recorded adds up to three hours ? So in theory you could do a number of half an hour sessions at lunch or the like so long as it's recorded ?
The thing that gets my goat is why we should pay for these tests and who will receive the fee who sets the fee and what profits they are making from this fee hardly £75 to email a few questions over, who sets out how much the fee is and who would get the money for such fees £25 to £75 is quiet a leap who is liable for this the AE or NT?
Also can we buy shares to the company who owns the rights to the exam and receive fees? Any help would be most obliged ?
Comment by Dave posted on
Totally agree,would rather not do test have forgot more than some trainer will know after over 40 years testing etc,if I have to do a test it is better than travelling over a hundred miles from Cumbria to Tyneside over two days to learn nothing,but strongly object to paying for an on line q & a,they have all our emails just send us something that we can send back ,and to threaten us with potentially loosing our jobs and livelihoods,what other trade can be told this,our employers pay out thousands on equipment etc ,a plumber just needs a van some one needs to rethink this
Comment by Ash posted on
So when are DVSA actually going to release more details on this pathetic idea?
Comment by Matters of Testing posted on
Hi Ash,
You can find the latest up to date information on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-training
Kind Regards
Thomas
Comment by Tony S posted on
Hi Thomas
So thanks for the update, I'm sure that you've put some wandering minds at rest.
I get the way it is set out, carry out annual training, no need to pay anyone for this, will be able to do this online, as well as at work.
So why do we have to pay a provider, such as MOT EXPERT, to sit the assessment test, when this is done online as-well
Surely DVSA can set the test for us online, cutting out the middleman.
I'm sure that every one else is thinking the same.
Comment by Rich posted on
Totally agree,, why should we pay some won else,,,,, but why should we pay at all???????
Comment by STUART ALLAN S.D.AUTOS posted on
The DVSA should update the INSPECTION MANUAL to the new information eg. no Atos, VTS DEVICE etc. Before the new training regime starts as we will be using out of date information.
The inspection manual was last updated in 2013 .
Comment by ron swain posted on
I have been carrying out MOT since the test has been going attended many courses many time , and very high qualified motor engineer .If cannot carryout a test now i should not be doing any more tests .Its of my opinion this is a load of rubbish
Comment by Donald McCabe posted on
Reading all these comments and questions ..... is any of this information based on FACTS???
As everything I am reading from the NOTICES or on the DVSA doesn't connect with all info people are sharing..
Here are the facts I can see off the most recent update on the DVSA website.... CPD will replace refresher training (I think its nothing but a good thing but do understand everyones concerns)
So far we can see it is going to be a 30q multiple choice exam, and we have 45 mins to do this exam, at some point between april and march....
I think there is still a lot of confusion and reading some of these comments hasn't helped....
Comment by darren posted on
totally agree its going to be a case of waiting till it comes out then we will know,too much speculation going on
Comment by Russell Barker posted on
Good for you John, we've all got to be proactive now. There is no point wasting energy trying to stop it because it's going to happen. I assure you all its not just Andrew Page doing the training, it's numerous training companies of your choice. IMI have got back to me and the RMI. You can do the training how you want, in fact you don't even have to go to a training provider if you feel you can do it yourself- but I wouldn't recommend that. You can do it all online or for those of you who like the two day refresher there are companies who offer that. They are going to confirm with me next month about the exam, but am pretty sure it will be online and you'll be able to do it at home/work, so we won't have the inconvenience and stress of going to an exam centre. I was worried like everyone but the more I've looked into it I actually think it will be better. So there are numerous companies you can contact but MOT EXPERT you can google there website, or if you have Facebook like their page and all the info you need is on there. Or you can call him, his name is Kev.
Comment by John Streat posted on
Sorry, forgot to post that everything mentioned above is web-based.
Comment by John Streat posted on
RIGHT!!!!!!! - Hopefully this can allay some fears.
Took Russell Barker's advice and phoned MoT Expert. They are an extremely helpful company who are offering a complete package of training, including DVD's, articles, background reading and mini-tests throughout the year all logged and counting towards the 3 hours a year study. All this can be linked back to the AE so they can keep on top of time spent and remind NT's if they are falling behind. Prices are due to be released on Friday but they are expecting to provide the service for around the cost of an MoT test. Why couldn't VOSA provide this kind of information directly to us!! (Still the amount of time I've spent reading articles and searching for answers I've already done over my hour of CPD training!)
Comment by Andy posted on
if this is right i'm guessing this will be logged and go towards our proof of training for the site assesments? how will we find out the final cost etc?
Comment by John Streat posted on
The cost is about £50 a year (so that must be per NT)
Comment by Colin posted on
CHECK YOUR EMAILS,
THERES A SURVEY !!!!
Let get this binned NOW
Comment by Tony S posted on
Haven't seen any email about this yet, who's it from
Comment by Tony S posted on
Quite a few good points raised here.
It's about time DVSA came up with a good response and cleared up all of the confusion.
I'm sure that they are working on it.
The main concerns I think is the cost of the test and the thought of being struck off for getting a few questions wrong.
I'm a Tester/Tech of many years and stepped back to just Testing now to see me through to retirement, so I'm reliant on being a MOT Tester now, like quite a few of you others out there.
Comment by darren posted on
this is true i think one of the main problems is how much will this cost us,no one seems to know all dvsa have said it will be at market rate......what is market rate.....they tell us how long & how we do it but no one has told anyone how much
Comment by jaytee posted on
2 years to retirement, bring it on so i can get out of this madhouse trade!! 46 years doing this and 40 years a tester, i have never seen moral so low and so many people leaving the trade and this is another reason. we cannot find mot testers to save our lives, they are not out there, but we are still so poorly payed compared with other trades
well,i'm done, when my year is up i will probably walk away, i suffer high bp and have heart issues and this isn't a help. i feel for you guys out there with no choice
Comment by rob posted on
surely a more acceptable solution to this idiotic idea, would be to send, via e-mail, to the mot stations a questionnaire type e-mail with the questions they want answered contained within, thus allowing the 'assessment' to be done on line, also this would allow the testers to be able to refresh their memories of articles pertaining to the questions raised, this could be seen as using this method to 'refresh' and train without using outside influences, I feel that this method would be far more productive, could be handled in house, and without cost or risk to the already stretched and stressed mot trade, sadly as usual, I fully expect this suggestion to be ignored.
Comment by darren posted on
totally agree and yes it will probably be ignored like everything else
Comment by wayne posted on
well I've been told that andrew page parts supplier will be doing all the exams and training for the new mot refresher training unsure how much it will cost but it will be more costs for the garage to already folk out just seems were bona get stiffed any way there been no special notes since 2015 i work 8 till 6 were i do 11 mots every day work till 12 on sat and do 5 were on earth will i get time for training and who will pay me to do it at home certainly not my boss will it be dvsa
Comment by Kevin posted on
I don't know why everybody is moaning. If your testing properly and you do your revision on the mot manual you will have nothing to worry about.
Comment by rob posted on
the issue here is not the worry of testers doing their job properly, the issue is about using outside influences, who may not have an understanding of how an m.o.t. station works, and having to pay annually for the privilege, when this could be quite easily handled in house without extra cost !!!
Comment by Tony S posted on
Quite agree Rob
Too many people saying shouldn't worry if you do it right, the majority of us do and just don't need this kind of stress put on us.
It needs to be done in house or on line, with no extra cost to the tester. Lots of companies do on-line training and tests for employees through on-line portals.
I hope DVSA read all of these comments and have a re-think as to how they go about this.
Comment by Bryan posted on
I don't have a problem with doing training with my fellow NT, we can sit in the warm office and discuss points. I don't have a problem with having to pay for an assessment. I do have a problem with having to pay a private company an unspecified amount for a 30 question online open book multiple choice exam that costs virtually nothing to host. How did that happen?
Comment by con posted on
we should be able to do it on line at no cost to us. because I test bikes and cars I have to pay for two tests per year. its never been a memory test that's why we have a manual to use.
I will wait to see the new plan and decide if I should go work in Tesco shelf filling
Comment by OVER 55 posted on
In the words of the DRAGON I am OUT !!!!!!
Comment by Michael Brooke posted on
Mick - 21/02/2016
Fully agree with online training : exam every year no : I am a believer in on the job experience and been testing for 35 years : for how much longer we will see ?mi
Comment by paul bufton posted on
this c p d is nothing to with mot testing somethink from uni graduate dreamed up thought o lets apply to mot trade with no experance of real world who sit in front of screen in warm office most vts are in cold porrley lit garages far cry from office enviorment working 9-5 most testers are time served middle aged i myself 61yrs proberly forgot more than most ever learn so lets have a pettion and through this idea in torch where it belongs
Comment by Craig posted on
Not only do I have to have the stress of some customers calling me everything under the sun if their car fails an mot and calling the dvsa to complain, I've now got the stress of possibly losing my job. Probably time to start looking for another career
Comment by Pete posted on
I agree it is a very stressful job, and the DVSA always make matters worst for the us testers, don't mind the training but exams NO, some people are excellent testers but no good in a classroom situation, maybe they want less testers, I for one would never recommend this job to any youngster wanting to come into the motor trade, I think it's time for me to look for another job as well.
Comment by MEL. posted on
I wonder who it was who supplied all the FEEDBACK? The idea that this new arrangement will improve road safety is a bit dubious isn't it? If the DVSA was serious about it they would make the MOT a lot more thorough, allow wheels off inspection for instance, make the test fee non discountable and what does the condition of a number plate have to do with road safety? No this is all about passing on costs to the testing stations.
Comment by Stephen posted on
I agree with Mel, and possibly a few others. If it's down to road safety, take out number plates But add child seats/restraints and removal of wheels. Also drivers view in a letter box really(told on a refresher course), just make it the whole screen is drivers view instant fail.
As regards to the fee, the DVSA/ Government should cap the price at £60.00 and any business giving a discount should be find.
I do read the manual when I get time, and if you've replied/commented on this blog then you also have time to read the exams?
I'm all for a refresher course but lets face it some uni boffing thought up this idea. Who has never worked in his life.
Comment by Tony S posted on
I agree with most of this, but taking wheels off during a MOT, REALLY!!!, I wouldn't be asking to do this and most Testers would agree with me I hope!
Comment by marcus posted on
well i think this is a bad idea i test from 8am untill 6pm monday to friday and saturday 8am untill 1pm like most AE and NT when do we get time for training i havent had a special notice since the new crap system went in so if we fail this exam are we excluided from testing and i will take it the test station is liable for the costs im a hands on mechanic not a paper one so i think they should talk to the workers before they take this in oh yes thats right we dont matter we are just there puppets.
Comment by harry bullman posted on
When computerism was introduced Vosa wrote *computer & printer etc etc, majority sites will already have*!! The difference was 90% of one man stations did not have I.T equipmeny,I had to borrow ££s which i am still having difficulty 2 repayI,also we were informed Siemens would collect their equipment, which months later we were informed it was 4 us to dispose of!! it could have saved many sites not having to purchasae new! There is NO justification to proposals made with LITTLE or NO communication with MOT testers re these proposals,I am of the opinion this scheme has been produced by so called specialist,which as similar to traffic control being planned by college students who do not reside locally who have no idea of REAL traffic conditions where filter lights are very much needed @ so many junctions
Comment by rob posted on
I too, did not have a computer or internet access, all of that, and the ensuing cost, was forced upon me as well, now we are being railroaded and shafted once again, seriously considering the future of my business, in short, I've had enough. !!!!!
Comment by john posted on
I wasn't asked about all this either? totally agree with a previous post about wasn't so long ago that cars were going to have a mot every 2 years but weve got to have a personal mot every year.so what happens if you fail do you get another go at it or what? and if failed what next.are dvsa going to pay my wages till im up to spec.be interesting to see how this is all going to pan out.i think every five years was ok ,im ok with being assessed but I felt it was better done offsite .and how and when will we find out when cpd is due?
Comment by Jobe posted on
Hi we have just got over the confusion of the change over on the computers and now we have even more things thrown at us we have not even been given the chance to give our opinion about this computer test I think it's time to call it a day because the way things are going we will all be just like machines there will be no room for the human element there was nothing wrong with the five year refresher course it gave people a chance to get together to discuss things
Comment by Nigel Hardie posted on
DVSA, a very typical half baked idea published without any detail or structure, like the launch of the new mot scheme, no detail, no back up, no real information, just a load of scare tactics to rile the front line troops
you could of at least had a programme of events and consequences with lead time for retests or what happens if a failure occurs, even the layout and the required pass mark of the tests and a pricing structure for the tests, just publishing the term going rate is lazy and an insult
so get your act together and give us real information, detail and structure because from where I'm standing this seems to be the first steps of privatisation and the corruption that will surly follow with the end user (testers and testing stations) left to carry the can for for total incompetence
Comment by Duncan posted on
Obviously ill thought out cost cutting measure with great risk of unforseen and unwelcome consequences.If only road safety was the true priority ......................................................!
Comment by Mark posted on
The job is hard as it is when the dvsa do spot checks they look for things to loose your liescence they dont work with you the work against you now doing test every year well its like they dont want people testing cars let them thats sat behind a desk do it . The people that make these stupid disissions never have there cars tested any way because there to new and they give them back after three years
Comment by terry posted on
100 % right we dont need this
Comment by Russell Barker posted on
I have looked at this today & have found a very helpful company called MOT Expert who are an IMI approved training centre and along with others will be carrying out the CPD and exam. They also have an article in the latest MOT workshop magazine. They do an e learn package which includes CPD training each year at what I thought was a reasonable price. Also the RMI got in touch pretty promptly so they might be worth a shout. I have nothing to do with this company, I'm just an A.E/tester like everyone else who wants more info and they answered all my questions very quickly.
Comment by warren posted on
have to say the concept seems good in theory,wasnt keen on travelling 2hrs to refresher training then sat in classroom for 8 hours before travelling home again.however I always felt I came away a little wiser and more knowledgable after. with the emphasis on no pass/fail at the courses it was a little easier to approach subjects that you weren't sure of.the annual exam however will leave many testers dreading a fail because they cant put into words what they mean,do we know the minimum % required for a pass? I personally don't want the fear of losing my tester status yearly and potentially my job. feel we need more clarification on this.
Comment by Chris posted on
Just like an mot only stands on the day what happens for the rest of the year.
The bad people will get around any exams and keeping records
I would like to have all information to hand when I come across a problem and a garage check by a professional and not just a suite.
It won't belong befor we are cast adrift and governed by a independent company that will bleed us dry,just wait and see
Comment by Matters of Testing posted on
Hi Warren,
The pass mark for each assessment is 50%. If you fail you’ll be given time to go back over your training and sit further assessments before any action is taken. You can sit the assessment as many times as you want for that year’s annual training syllabus but you’ll have to pay each time you sit an assessment. More detailed information about the assessment is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-training#sit-annual-assessment
Regards
Thomas
Comment by Dave posted on
Although I agree with some of the comments made I really think people should read the information, Maybe reading lessons are needed in refresher training. DVSA needs to get MOT fees fixed so the fee is the fee & reading for 3 hours a year completing a basic test sounds better then driving 100 miles each way two days running.
Comment by Russell Barker posted on
One more thing I would like to know if anybody could tell me, do the training providers lecturers who are teaching this course content have to pass an exam each year to keep teaching MOT courses? Maybe they do, but would just like to know.
Comment by Keith brown posted on
So do we have to pay for the reauthoristion assessment? Or does that only apply to getting in professionals to help you
Comment by Damien Hornby posted on
CAN SOMEBODY FROM DVSA CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION OF WHAT WE HAVE TO PAY OR NOT PAY FOR EITHER ASSESSEMENTS OR TRAINING PLEASE!
Comment by Matters of Testing posted on
Hi Damien,
You'll have pay for each assessment you sit. We expect the assessments to be priced between £25 and £75 per assessment. However, this price range will be subject to change over time and dependent on individual training provider rates and deals. More detailed information about the assessment is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-training#sit-annual-assessment
How you train and whether you want to pay for a training provider to deliver it will be up to you (or your MOT management). Using a training provider is not mandatory and if you choose to use one you should expect to pay them at market rates. More information on how you can complete your training is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-training#complete-annual-training
Regards
Thomas
Comment by Russell Barker posted on
Wow! Normally these articles only get a couple of comments, sounds like not many took part in the survey including me. I am an A.E and N.T, my view is CPD is a good thing, annual training that you can do whenever suits you, whether that be E learning- which I prefer, or a formal course/seminar. The point of continuing professional development is you are already a qualified professional and you are keeping up to date annually through the learning material. This isn't a competence issue because you have already passed your exam when you became a tester, it's ment to be honing your skills which is a good thing. I actually believe you'll be able to do the exam on line and won't cause testers to much concern because you are learning these areas anyway, but that's not the point. This will cause testers a lot of distress knowing each year they have to pass a test to keep their job- like the lad who commented who owns a bike shop even though he clearly would pass the test he's going to worry about his future each year, which is not what we want, we want people to want to work in this industry. People make mistakes when they are put under stress and in an exam situation but that doesn't make them bad testers. Extra training fine but every year an exam is unneeded and by the sound of it unwanted. So if DVSA are listening to the trade get back to me. I have enquired about this exam process but no response yet.
Comment by Pete posted on
The best solution would be to have an Annual test per Site, Using the Comp2 with your User/password. That way it would keep the cost down and we can do it without disruption!, Lets Face it 99% of Nt's are or have been Motor Mechanics!, Motor Mechanics are not the best at exams and sat down tests!, They are best with spanners, Screwdrivers and Hammers!, If they were good Academics they wouldn't be doing this Job in the first place!. I know who I would rather check my lower ball joints on a Mot Test!. It would be a time served mechanic!, Not some guy with a Shirt and Tie!.
Comment by David posted on
What a great comment.
Comment by Andrew Jones posted on
Well done DVSA Leave us completely on our own through the switch over disaster , then announce that YOU WANT TO TEST US EVERY YEAR . No problem my hourly rate is £45 so who do invoice for my time ? Please reply !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yet another example of this department being completely out of touch and just bulldozing in a new policy. On another note you want to test us every year yet a few months ago 2 year vehicle testing was being considered . GET A GRIP YOUR COSTING US TIME AND MONEY YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TO HELP. I know this will be completely ignored but we are fed up with this dictatorship and just being told this is what's happening and having no say whatsoever .
Comment by Mike posted on
This does sound very bad, I do not want to re sit a exam every year just to carry on doing my job, and having to pay for it, we have had the costs passed over to garages over the last four years or so. As the only tester in my garage I do not need this extra pressure, stick with the old refresher courses every three years rather than five
Comment by G Erskine posted on
Well load more testers going to just retire not worth all the grief ' no testers about know ' who's going to train for years for a poor paid job ' that some one can just take from you by moving goal post .
Comment by Jim Murray posted on
Sounds like a good idea to keep testers on the ball, but it is going to be introduced in April & we have NO information on how it will work or what it will cost, and are only being told about its imminent introduction now.
I also don't recall ever being asked for my opinion on it, either by email, letter or at previous refresher courses.
It is very unfair we don't have more time to prepare for its implementation, and also if you test all classes like myself you will be penalised by having to pay twice for the privilege.
Comment by Neil posted on
I am an AE of my own Garage, and was horrified to read this morning that this scheme was not only to be introduced, but at such short notice, and apparently its want we've all be shouting out for, I for one was never consulted in any form of Special notice, email or social media regarding this decision, as by reading pretty much 99.9% of the above neither were they, I don't even know where you stand legally on this and I as most likely many others will be taking advice about this, maybe if the Prime Minister and his government took an annual test (and if they failed the exam were dismissed ) the country would not be in the state it now finds itself in, Something need to be done about this now, what about human rights? just read today if murderers are getting appeals after 30 years, it says to me there has to be some law somewhere to prevent this insanity
Comment by Ian Preston posted on
The last refresher course I went on,about four years ago I was told that the courses would soon be cut out due to costs.I liked the courses as you met other testers and could chat about problems you can across in your testing station.I think all the test stations should get together & object to these new proposals.For once lets make a stand & stick together as mot testers.
Comment by Paul posted on
Playing with people's livelihoods. Nobody consulted me
Comment by Isaac Hunt posted on
The usual attitude toward the lowly car mechanic/MOT NT. Not only do our salaries not show our true worth and wealth of knowledge compared to other trades. But now we have to have yet more testing. I went on 1 of the last refresher courses as was forced to even though the scheme had been announced that it was changing. Now little over a year later I'm going to be requested to be tested every year what about the 5 years my last course should of granted me?
Although the refresher course was a little tedious and could of been condensed in to a single day (it just needed updating in my honest opinion). I for one found them very useful, as its other real people that test all discussing our issues and concerns. And most importantly you actually got to talk to a fully qualified DVSA training employee about if your interpretation of something was right or wrong. So now we won't get that valuable asset of talking to a trained professional, no our reward for possibly misinterpretation of a ruling will be to have to then take time out to do a course at our own cost after losing 3 hours of potential bonus money to train(that I'm sure I won't be reimbursed)?
Well here's an idea why not send 1 of your employees to each site and do a day of proper in house tests and discuss issues raised or spotted there and then? And discuss new rules and guidelines whilst doing these courses. The only reason for this can be a money saving exercise for the government and the DVSA as a department.
Comment by STUART ALLAN S.D.AUTOS posted on
We have a duty to the public to maintain the minimum safe standards for vehicles on the roads, when we do MOT'S we are working for the D.O.T .
In my last job as a POWER ENGINEER with BT we had to be certified every year on HV, AIRCON,
DC POWER, AC POWER & ADR . Three hours a year is ok it will make you think SAFETY.
Comment by Rob posted on
DS Autos..You had to be certified every year ...And i bet you got paid a way better wage than MOT testers...
Comment by Steve posted on
This is all about money at the end of the day and cut backs nothing to do about safety.
Comment by Elliot posted on
Well well well, ( we have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as hard before talking )yet again the sly underhanded government department will offer to listen to testers/garages but in reality they neither listen nor heed advice, but go straight ahead and prepose this monstrosity ( probably from a well paid think tank ). I'm all for training training training, even the odd test/exam but surely it should culminate in testers knowing to brush up on steering say not just be brushed aside like an unwanted piece of rubbish ( I'm still a fan of hand written ) testing since 1998 and now unhappy.
Comment by Daniel cramp posted on
Training at work in a garage really . if not doing mot's if you have time when finished you do other jobs that pay you do not have time to do training during work hours . I did attend one of the last refresher courses last year there are very few staff it seems able to do the refresher courses . Would much rather return to a two day course away from garage .
Comment by martin posted on
With new technology I feel that dvsa could be a little more informative to the testing stations, This new announcement does not really explain exactly how the test/training works and if %pass fail rate is important to the boffins, Although it always filled the NT with dread having an annual visit from our local vehicle inspectorate we always came away from the encounter with feedback and a better understanding of any changes and methods of testing modern vehicles.
Comment by Robert Norfolk posted on
Hi all fellow AE's and NT,s MOT site owner,s, - MOT fees need to increase NOW, and ALL testing station's charge the correct same testing fee NO discount at all. We are now supplying our own admin equipment and stationary, keeping detailed records (Not having to record) for QC testing and calibrations if not possibly named shamed and possibly removed from testing. If the correct testing fee is obtained sending a tester on a course or giving the tester time to keep up to date with any changes to the testing scheme should not be a problem at all lm all for it there are too many poor testers out there- l own and operate a small village testing station and do not discout tests, station charging £25 or less, paying a tester and possibly assistant - slot payments upkeep of equipment and calabrations tests of equipment overheads etc not good, therefore come on let's see an increase in the test fees - all charge the same testing fee (let the customer choose the station rather that a cheap deal) then all would be in a better position to send NT's on a days course keeping them up to date meeting other testers sharing exsperiances of there job and tests done, thank you all reading my little rant
Comment by Tariq posted on
Why are we paying for test slots if we have too pay for training too .Tariq Evans Halshaw Transit Technician and Qaulity Controller . Kindest Regards
Comment by Johnny b posted on
Is the Annual Test going to be Online from the Workplace?.
Comment by Matters of Testing posted on
Hi Johnny,
You'll be able to sit your annual assessment online. More detailed information on the annual assessment is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-training#sit-annual-assessment
Regards
Thomas
Comment by Terry Ovington posted on
Things would be different if the decision makers had to sit a test every year to keep their job.
LOAD OF TOSH---Rules made by overpaid buricrats and will they take any notice of any comments.-----------NO.
Comment by John posted on
I have just done a two day course which I thought would see me through the next five years I am 65 and not very good on computers l have been testing every working day for 35 years so I think I know what I am doing
Comment by Brian posted on
A nother waist of time I have passed mot test three times master tech . Citroen tech institute bmw ,and they think we can waste 3 hours doing this instead of a quick abc test ,10 min to keep you updated with nolage by reeding updates a nother time wasting ,and greeting mechanics like thikos. Brian
Comment by Steve tubb posted on
One minute the powers that be are trying to push for vehicles to be tested every 2years , but backpedal , but seems we are all so incompetent we need testing every 12 months , with the threat of your job / livelihood , many good testers are practical people not bookworms , many are good at forms and lacking at doing the job , you can make a better assessment of an individual when he's sat in front of you , not the other side of a computer screen , put your money where your mouth is , give us an online vote !