After listening to the MOT trade’s feedback the DVSA is replacing MOT tester refresher training with a new model of annual training and assessment.
The DVSA says MOT testers and garage owners have asked for “more frequent, modular training” to help to maintain their testing status.
So from April 2016 the old five-year refresher course is to be replaced with a new programme of annual MOT training.
This new annual training will follow the continuing professional development (CPD) model allowing testers to update their skills each year in “manageable bite-sized chunks”.
The DVSA says: “The updated CPD approach will provide a way to refresh testing knowledge in a 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 five years, we’ll be asking testers to complete at least three hours of MOT-based training every year, followed by an assessment.”
The DVSA is to publish an annual analysis based on the latest MOT test error rates to highlight areas which the trade needs to improve.
“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.
“There’s no need to worry – most testers already spend more than three hours each year updating their MOT knowledge, so the new annual training should be easy to manage.”
Everything you need to know about how the new annual training will work and what you need to do is available on our changes to MOT training guidance on GOV.UK.