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In addition to meeting the criteria given in Section E2. Eligibility for becoming a tester prospective testers must successfully complete:

• an initial training course that explains the processes of MOT testing and reinforces the standards set out in the relevant inspection manual
• an observed demonstration test for an officer of DVSA

Testers may be required to complete additional training and observed demonstration tests before being allowed to test vehicles in classes that they have not previously been testing.

The following indicates the circumstances in which testers and potential testers are required to attend training courses, annual or additional training and to provide practical demonstrations of their testing competence to DVSA.

Candidates to become a tester

Anyone wanting to become a tester will need to do:

• initial tester training
• a demo test

From the date of issue of a Level 2 Award in MOT testing, a demonstration test must be successfully completed on a vehicle of testable age, within 6 months.

If the request for a demonstration test is over 6 months and up to 5 years from that date, the current years MOT annual training and MOT annual assessment and any additional training must be completed prior to the demonstration. Should this time period exceed 5 years they will need to re-attend initial training.

To continue testing following a formal warning or short term cessation

To continue testing following the issue of a formal warning, disciplinary period of 28 days (short term cessation), or when requested by DVSA, the tester will need to do:

• current year annual training and assessment
• additional training
• a demo test

If the current years training and assessment have already been completed, the tester will not need to redo them. However, if directed, they must take the appropriate additional training where requested within the disciplinary decision letter issued by DVSA and ensure all areas of weakness have been covered. All training must be complete prior to conducting the demonstration test.

Becoming a tester after a disciplinary period of either 2 or 5 years

To become a tester following a disciplinary period of either 2 or 5 years a tester will need to do:

• initial tester training
• a demo test

Testers wishing to add additional test classes

If a tester wants to add an additional test classes 3 and/or 5 to their test group they will need to do:

• additional training
• a demo test

See training requirements for class 3 and 5 vehicles.

Resuming testing following a lapse of 6 months to 5 years

To maintain their testing status, a tester must complete a full MOT test within a 6 month period for each test group they test. If a full test is not completed for either test group, the testers status becomes lapsed for that test group.

Before resuming testing following a lapse of over 6 months and up to 5 years, a tester will need to do:

• current year annual training and assessment
• additional training
• a demo test

Testers who wish to resume testing following a lapse of over 6 months and up to 5 years must complete the current years MOT annual training and MOT annual assessment and any additional training prior to the demonstration test.

Resuming testing following a lapse of 5 years

Before resuming testing following a lapse of 5 years a tester will need to do:

• initial tester training
• a demo test

If a candidate fails the demonstration test

If a tester candidate fails the demonstration test, they cannot reapply for another demonstration test for at least 10 working days to allow them time for further training and practice.

If a tester candidate fails the demonstration test on the second attempt, they cannot apply for a further assessment for 6 months. In addition, they are required to successfully complete the current years annual assessment and training prior to phoning the contact centre to arrange their demonstration test.

Any further failures would repeat the 6-month cycle, as such successfully complete the current years annual assessment and training. Should this cycle exceed 5 years they will need to re-attend initial training.

Monitoring test standards

To monitor test standards a tester will need to do a demo test when required to do so by DVSA.

Annual training

For annual training, a tester will need to do the current year annual training and assessment for each Group (A and/or B) they test. It is the testers responsibility to ensure that the annual assessment has been uploaded against their MOT Testing Service (MTS) profile

Testers who do not successfully complete the annual assessment and have it recorded against their MTS profile by the 31st of March will have their testing status switched to suspended. If they wish to resume testing, they must complete the current years MOT annual training and MOT annual assessment and any additional training prior to the demonstration test.

See MOT annual training for testers.