DVSA Confirms Increase to HGV, Bus and Trailer MOT Centre Service Charges from July 2026

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that authorised testing facilities (ATFs) will be allowed to increase the maximum service charges they can levy for HGV, bus, coach and trailer MOT tests from 6 July 2026, following the outcome of a national consultation.

The changes mark the first increase in ATF service charge caps since the testing network moved to the ATF model in 2010. According to DVSA, the revised charges are intended to help testing facilities meet rising operating costs, invest in modern equipment and maintain a sustainable national testing network.

New Maximum Service Charges

The new maximum service charges will be:

These charges are separate from the statutory MOT test fee paid to DVSA and relate to the use of the ATF’s premises and equipment.

Why Are Charges Increasing?

DVSA says ATFs have faced significant cost pressures over the last 15 years, including:

• Rising utility and energy costs
• Increased staffing and salary expenses
• Higher maintenance and equipment costs
• Investment required to support testing of increasingly complex vehicles and emerging technologies

The agency noted that the maximum charges have remained unchanged since 2010, despite inflation increasing substantially over that period. Had the fees tracked inflation, the HGV service charge cap would now be around £85 rather than the proposed £70.

Industry Consultation Results

The consultation attracted 634 responses from across the industry. DVSA reported strong support for increasing the maximum service charges, including:

• 99% of authorised testing facilities
• 95% of organisations operating as both vehicle operators and ATFs
• 62% of vehicle operators

Following the consultation, DVSA decided to proceed with the proposed increases without amendment.

Impact on Operators

DVSA estimates that, if ATFs choose to charge the maximum amount, the overall cost of a test could increase by:

• Up to 9% for HGV tests
• Up to 11% for trailer tests
• Up to 11% for bus and coach tests

However, the agency emphasises that ATFs are not required to charge the maximum fee, and some facilities may continue to charge less or waive the charge entirely for their own fleets or as part of wider maintenance agreements.

Supporting Future Vehicle Testing

The increase comes at a time when the heavy vehicle testing sector is adapting to new technologies, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), enhanced safety testing requirements and the continued transition towards zero-emission commercial vehicles. DVSA has stated that ensuring ATFs remain financially viable is essential for supporting future testing requirements and maintaining road safety standards across the UK.

What Happens Next?

The revised maximum service charges will take effect from 6 July 2026 across England, Scotland and Wales. DVSA has also indicated that a detailed summary of consultation responses will be published following the implementation of the changes.

For operators, fleet managers and ATFs, the changes represent the most significant update to heavy vehicle MOT service charge limits in over a decade, reflecting both the increasing costs of operating testing facilities and the evolving demands of modern vehicle testing.