The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that, from 29 April, heavy vehicle annual test (MOT) pass certificates will no longer be printed at the point of test as a default.

Operators can see the MOT result on the MOT history service as soon as the test is completed. They can also view and/or download a copy of the pass certificate as needed. Currently only certificates from 2021 are available to download on the MOT history service, but operators can see the whole test history of vehicles and trailers from 2018.

The change forms part of DVSA’s Digital Transformation Project for heavy vehicle testing and, now that DVSA are able to offer pass certificates digitally via the MOT history service, they want to move away from issuing a paper copy of pass certificates at the time of test. 

By exception, they will still print a copy if an operator really needs one – for example, if they have any difficulties accessing the internet.  Failure certificates will continue to be printed by the Authorised Testing Facility (ATF), although DVSA is currently considering whether the same digital-first approach can be taken with those documents and is seeking stakeholder comments on the suggestion.

When it comes to operators’ responsibilities regarding MOT pass certificates under the Operator’s Licence, the DVSA note that “in nearly all cases” a hard copy is not needed if the information is recorded and available digitally should the DVSA or a Traffic Commissioner need to view it.  The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, Inspection Manual and other publications are to be updated to reflect the change and the Traffic Commissioners are aware of the change and the ability to view the MOT history digitally.

Separately, DVSA is working on making vehicle ‘ministry plates’ easier to access online and removing the need to affix them to vehicles. More information on this will follow.

You can read DVSA’s ‘Moving On’ blog on moving to a digital first approach in heavy vehicle testing here.