Vehicle testing update – Plan ahead to get your test!
11 May 2021
The DVSA have issued a further update urging operators to plan ahead and consider moving test dates due in August, September, October or November this year to an earlier date.
Last year, the DVSA issued testing exemptions and extensions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to help keep industry moving. This has resulted in test dates that are not evenly spread throughout the year and the DVSA have warned that the months of August, September, October and November are significantly busier than usual. This will inevitably 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.
The DVSA have advised that they are expecting much lower test volumes for May, June and July; ATFs will therefore have more tests available in those months.
DVSA are urging operators with tests due in either August, September, October or November to move them forward to either May, June or July to avoid the busier months later in the year. Doing this will also help you to avoid issues both now and 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
- DVSA 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 the find a test centre for a HGV, bus or trailer MOT on GOV.UK to check availability today or contact the Regulatory team on 01254 828300 or Regulatory@backhouses.co.uk for advice.
