Vehicle testing update

21 April 2021

Do some of your vehicles or trailers need to be tested in August, September, October or November this year?

Last year the DVSA  issued exemptions to help keep industry moving during the pandemic.

As a result, test dates are not evenly spread throughout the year and August, September, October and November are significantly busier than usual.

This will put pressure on the wider industry, including those involved in preparing vehicles for test and maintaining them throughout the year, as well as the capacity available at ATFs.

In May, June and July, the DVSA are expecting much lower test volumes. So ATFs will have more tests available in those months.

For peace of mind, the DVSA are advising operators with tests in August, September, October and November to move to May, June or July and avoid the busier months later in the year. Doing this will also help you to avoid issues in future years.

Moving tests to quieter months helps everyone:

• you guarantee your test date
• the demand for vehicle maintenance and preparation is spread out during the year
• ATFs can manage the demand
• we can get the right levels of staff to ATFs

You can now find out if your local ATF or nearby sites have test availability.

Use our Find a test centre for a HGV, bus or trailer MOT on GOV.UK to check availability today.