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.

2023 to 2024 topics

These are the topics for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Group A

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

• registering a vehicle for test
• use of equipment
• test procedures
• the MOT inspection manual for motorcycles and sidecars

Group B

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

• registering a vehicle for test
• use of equipment
• 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 registering a vehicle for test

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

• correctly identifying the vehicle and the class of vehicle
• what to do if the vehicle identification number (VIN) or registration does not match
• whether you can test the vehicle if you find a fault during a pre-check, for example if the fuel cap or door will not open
• what to do if the vehicle has been incorrectly registered for test
• what to do if the incorrect registration has been recorded
• what to do if the vehicle cannot fit on your equipment due to its wheelbase, distance between wheels, lowered, length or size
• what to do if the vehicles mileage is not clear
• what to do if the vehicle is the wrong colour and how to change the record of its colour
• what to do if the wrong model variant is noticed on the first test
• how to create a new test (first test)
• Q plates

Questions on use of equipment

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

• calibration of equipment
• what to do if the equipment stops working
• what to do if connected equipment is not working correctly (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• what to do when the decelerometer is sent for calibration
• testing in manual mode (class 4 and 7 vehicles only)
• how to raise or jack vehicles
• aligning headlamp equipment/distance from beam tester

Questions on test procedures

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

• what to do if the vehicle is damaged during the test
• what to do if the headlamp patterns on the vehicle are different from those in the appropriate manual
• which checks and standards apply to vehicles fitted with spoked wheels
• which standards to apply to Q plates (date of first use, horn, emission smoke (class 4 and 7 vehicles only))
• whether you can test the vehicle if the fuel cap or door does not open during the pre-check

Questions on MOT inspection manual

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

• declining or refusing a test
• when to abandon or abort a test, whether a fee can be charged, and what action to take if the test cannot be completed
• whether a vehicle can be refused or declined if the vehicle is exempt from testing but the customer still wants to have it tested
• what happens if an exempt vehicle fails its MOT test
• MOTs for vehicles not fitted with lights
• engine oil leaks identified during a pre-check
• battery leaks (standard and hybrid/full electric)
• what can be done if a vehicle was mistakenly tested by the VTS before it was due (for example, a one year old vehicle with a private plate tested by the site in error)
• what to do if a vehicle has more than one different VIN but appears to be standard in all other aspects, is a multistage build or has been subject to a conversion (motor home class 4 and 7 only)
• whether you can still be a tester if you lose your licence due to a medical condition
• what to do if a customer requests an MOT test for a vehicle with a police or DVSA prohibition notice on it
• what to do if the presenter does not know the weight or power output of the vehicle

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

• an additional stop lamp fitted to a top box but not working (wiring visible/not visible)
• mirrors that are fitted but broken, or cannot be adjusted to provide a view to the rear
• chopper style bikes fitted with lamps but no indicators
• imported bikes (2012) with combined indicator/stop lamps

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

• what to do if the headlamp levelling device on a motor caravan is not working
• class 7 vehicle tyre load capacity, axle weights and speed rating
• whether a car over 3000kg can be tested at a class 4 site
• whether motor caravans can be tested at a class 4 site
• the maximum unladen weight of dual-purpose vehicles
• whether a pickup vehicle fitted with a 5th wheel can be tested as class 4 or 7
• what class of vehicle a minibus with 8 passenger seats and wheelchair tracking for 6 additional wheelchairs would be
• checking imported vehicles that cannot have a standard size number plate fitted to them

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:

• c
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