GovWire

Appendix 2: Facilities and security

Driver Vehicle Standards Agency

September 5
07:10 2022

The following information supplements the requirements set out in the appropriate requirements for authorisation.

2. Sign and notices

The three triangles MOT sign detailed in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 11, diagram 864 must be displayed in a prominent position, no part higher than 4.5m from the ground and no more than one sign on each road frontage.

3. Notice board

All authorised examiners (AEs) must also display:

  • the certificate of authorisation (VT9) issued by DVSA

  • the current fees and appeals poster (form VT9A) showing vehicle classes, test fees and appeals procedure and the details of how to contact DVSA

The notices must be displayed on a notice board with a protective transparent covering inside the vehicle testing station (VTS) in a location where they can be read by those presenting, or intending to present, vehicles for test.

The current fees and appeals poster may be displayed adjacent to the official notice board if it will not fit on the notice board proper. Additional copies of this poster can be obtained online.

4. Equipment calibration

The MOT list of acceptable equipment lists the various makes and models of test equipment that have a measuring capability, such as headlamp aim testers and brake testers. The suitability of other test equipment is individually assessed at each VTS.

Find MOT equipment approved by DVSA.

Equipment maintenance, calibration and records

All testing equipment must be kept in good order and measuring apparatus must be calibrated regularly in accordance with DVSAs requirements. In all cases calibration records must be kept for a minimum of two years.

In the case where the serial number of the equipment cannot be found the VTS should make up a number, which identifies the equipment, and mark the equipment accordingly. Where a VTS uses an item of test equipment that is awaiting approval, the AE should contact DVSA for advice.

The AE is required to ensure that calibrations are carried out when required. For roller brake testers (RBTs), plate brake testers (PBTs), automated test lane (ATL) weighing facility, motorcycle weighing equipment (where applicable) and headlamp aim testers the calibration expiry date will be taken as the month end date where certificates only show the month and year of expiry, see Roller and plate brake testers, ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities, and headlamp aim testers

RBTs, PBTs, weighing equipment and headlamp aim testers can be calibrated anytime during the six months following its last date of calibration. The equipment is then considered calibrated until the end of the 6th month.

Failure to recalibrate by the due date will prevent testing of any vehicle that requires the use of that item of test equipment. In exceptional circumstances, beyond the AEs control, where the calibration cannot be carried out by the due date the site manager (SM) should notify DVSA. DVSA may extend the calibration period in order to allow testing to continue.

Testing must also stop if any mandatory item malfunctions in a way that could prevent a test being properly conducted. Testing must not be resumed until the equipment has been properly repaired. If equipment fails during a test but before its use has been completed, the test must be aborted and any fee paid returned.

Maintenance periods

All equipment must be maintained in good working order at all times.

In the case of ATL or one person test lane (OPTL), maintenance periods for steering and suspension play detectors is a minimum of:

  • 6 months for pneumatic equipment
  • 12 months for hydraulic equipment

Maintenance must be conducted by the manufacturer or manufacturers agent and a maintenance report issued detailing any remedial work conducted.

A signed and dated declaration that the equipment is in good working order must be issued after the maintenance has been completed.

Portable appliance testing

Under Health and Safety legislation (including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998), employers are responsible for the inspecting and testing of all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.

Among other things, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations require that equipment provided for use at work is safe, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case.

In particular, the Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers and employees to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment.

It is therefore the responsibility of AEs to ensure that all electrical equipment used on their premises, has been tested to ensure that it poses no risk to health and safety.

Further information on PAT, including leaflets, can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive

Frequency and location of calibration

Equipment should be calibrated as follows.

Exhaust gas analysers

The user should make a daily leak check on the hose and probe. Most machines have an automatic facility for doing this. If not, a physical check of the hose and probe must be carried out to confirm that there are no leaks.

Depending on the make or type, exhaust gas analysers must be calibrated every 3, 6 or 12 months. This must be carried out according to the approved procedure by a recognised calibration technician only. An exhaust gas analyser must be calibrated with a certified calibration gas and when the ambient temperature is above 5C.

Gas analysers cannot be properly calibrated if the mains AC voltage is less than 204V or more than 264V.

Roller brake testers, plate brake testers, ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities, headlamp aim testers

RBTs, PBTs, ATL and motorcycle weighing facilities, and headlamp aim testers can be calibrated anytime during the six months following its last date of calibration. The equipment is then considered calibrated until the end of the 6th month. Where the calibration certificate only states the month and year of expiry, the last day of that month should be taken as the calibration expiry date.

<

Related Articles

Comments

  1. We don't have any comments for this article yet. Why not join in and start a discussion.

Write a Comment

Your name:
Your email:
Comments:

Post my comment

Recent Comments

Follow Us on Twitter

Share This


Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: