GovWire

Types of MOT training

There are 2 types of MOT training you can provide:

• MOT tester and manager qualification courses
• MOT tester annual training courses

You must be approved by an awarding organisation to provide qualification courses.

You dont need to be approved to provide annual training courses.

Provide qualification courses

You can get approval to provide these MOT qualifications:

• Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (classes 1 and 2 - motorcycles)
• Level 2 Award in MOT Testing (classes 4 and 7 - light vehicles)
• Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management

Apply for approval

Contact an awarding organisation to find out:

• if youre eligible to be a training provider
• how to register with them

You can register with more than one.

When youre approved

Youll be responsible for approving individual MOT trainers to run the qualification courses.

The awarding organisations you register with will give you more information about running the courses.

Provide annual training

MOT testers must complete training between April and March every year. You can provide training courses for them to take.

MOT testers have to study different topics depending on whether they test:

• class 1 and 2 vehicles (group A)
• class 3, 4, 5, 7 vehicles (group B)

Most of the questions will be about specific topics. Some of the questions could be about other topics from the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide.

2024 to 2025 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Group A

Testers who test vehicles in group A need to know about:

• corrosion
• classification of vehicles
• test procedures
• the MOT inspection manual for motorcycles and sidecars

Group B

Testers who test vehicles in group B need to know about:

• corrosion
• classification of vehicles
• test procedures
• the MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles

Groups A and B

MOT testers who test vehicles in both group A and group B need to study all the topics. They will need to train for at least 6 hours a year (instead of 3) and take 2 annual assessments.

Questions on corrosion and standards of repair

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• identifying and assessing corrosion
• prescribed areas
• non-prescribed areas
• load area
• load bearing and supportive structures
• tow bar mountings
• suitable materials used in repair
• bonded repairs
• repairs to alloy/steel wheels
• non-metallic structures, such as carbon fibre
• brake pipes
• cab and body mountings (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• chassis types (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• frame arrangements including sidecars (class 1 and 2 vehicles only)
• when the engine is a stressed member (class 1 and 2 vehicles only)

Questions on classification of vehicles

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• non-testable items relating to vehicles identified as mopeds
• EU classification of vehicles (goods vehicles, cars, pickups, quads, motor caravans, mopeds, solo motorcycles, motorcycle and sidecars)
• what to do when the weight or power output of vehicle presented for MOT test is not known (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• seat belt requirements for quadracycles (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• identification of quadracycles (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• the classification of a goods vehicle converted into a motor caravan (for example, seating capacity) and which brake test should be carried out (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• which brake test should be carried out on a dual purpose pickup (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)

Questions on test procedures applicable to all classes

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• correct use of advisory items
• correct use of the term excessive
• calibration of equipment
• contingency testing
• what to do if youve forgotten your password or user identification
• who can test three-wheeled vehicles
• what to do when the distance between the centres of the areas of contact between the wheels and the road surface is less than 460mm
• what to do when the distance between the centres of the areas of contact between the wheels and the road surface is 460mm or more
• what to check during the retest of a vehicle
• what to do during the pre-check
• what to do when the vehicle does not have a current MOT and the customer is trying to arrange an appointment
• what to do if the vehicle youre about to test still has 2 months or more remaining on the MOT
• wheel alignment of three-wheeled vehicles (class 1 and 2 vehicles only)
• who can test class 5 vehicles (class 4 and 7 testers only)

Questions on the MOT inspection manuals and MOT testing guide

These are some examples of the subjects MOT testers will be asked questions about:

• major fail items identified during pre-check
• what to do if a vehicle requires a decelerometer check and dangerous defect has been identified during the test
• equipment failures during a test
• local IT issues during a test
• national IT issues with the MOT testing service during a test
• training logs
• what you must do if you get a criminal conviction
• cessation periods
• action or points awarded if you apply incorrect standards for pass, major and dangerous
• what action DVSA may take if you deliberately carry out MOT testing incorrectly or do not follow the procedure in the MOT testing guide and inspection manual (this information is available in Appendix 8 of the MOT testing guide)

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group A:

• what to do if a steering damper is fitted
• what to do if ABS is fitted but not working
• what to do if there is significant parallel misalignment of the road wheels

These are some examples of subjects MOT testers might be asked about for group B:

• checking seat belt fitment and condition
• child seats held by isofix, ratchet straps, carabiners, nuts and bolts and also the vehicles own seat belt
• emission and smoke testing temperatures, basic emissions test not passed, diesel vehicle plate limits
• brake testing for class 4 three-wheelers and quadracycles

2025 to 2026 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Group A

Testers who test vehicles in group A need to know about:

• electric, hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles, disabled rider controls and vehicle modifications
• information in th
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