Beverley Warmington has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). She will take up the role on 5 January 2026, succeeding Loveday Ryder, who has led the agency since January 2021. Warmington brings nearly 20 years of experience in public service, with a strong background in leading large operational organisations. Prior to…
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Recently in the news the BBC highlighted the issue of the glare from LED, laser light and bi-xenon sourced headlights on modern cars. This isn’t new. For some years now people have been put off driving at night due to the blinding intensity of those modern headlamp systems. And the problem is made worse by the increasing sales of larger…
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Identification of the vehicle (0) MOT Test of registration plates (number plate) A registration plate is required on the front and rear of most vehicles, unless they are unregistered, foreign, diplomatic or military. The MOT test includes a detailed inspection of the plates, their characters, and their conformity to regulations based on the age of the vehicle. Three-wheeled vehicles that…
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Tyre safety, MOT failure reasons, and how garages can tackle tyre neglect. A Growing Trend: Drivers Waiting for the MOT Before Addressing Tyres Across the UK, tyre neglect remains one of the most persistent issues encountered by MOT stations and independent garages. Research consistently shows that a large percentage of drivers only replace their tyres when prompted by an MOT…
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Ghost MOTs refers to the situation where MOT Testing Stations issue MOT pass certificates on vehicles that have never been in an MOT Testing Station. This practice is advertised on some social media sites and poses a serious threat to road safety. Whilst this probably only applies to a very few dishonest Testing Station owners—or perhaps some Testers who do…
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PLEASE NOTE: Please contact us here If you are interested in a subscription for MOT SHIELD. Contact Us Penalty points from DVSA – how it happens, what to do next Testing quality is at an all-time low, and DVSA are pledged to do something about it, so we ask: “Can MOT businesses now expect a disciplinary crackdown from DVSA?” We also…
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The current MOT fee was set on 6th April 2010 – over 15 years ago at the current cost of £54.85. After the DVSA cost of the £2.05 slot fee, this leaves just £52.80 received by MOT Test Stations for an MOT vehicle examination that can take up to an hour, or even more. Are there any other costs of…
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From 10 June 2025, major changes to driving licence entitlements for zero-emission vans have come into force, designed to make it easier for businesses and drivers to adopt electric fleets. These changes have key implications for MOT garages, MOT testers, and suppliers in the EV van space. (Original source: EV Fleet World – New licence rules for heavier electric vans…
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Recently there have been several scare stories in the press suggesting that thousands of motorists’ vehicles will fail the MOT because their vehicles have safety-related manufacturing defects which have not been remedied. These articles are wrong. There has been no recent change to the MOT Testing rules which would apply to the vehicle defect Safety Recall system resulting in an…
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DVSA announces streamlined MOT reminder service In a recent press release the Government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, (DVSA) gave themselves a pat on the back for having achieved what they suggest is a landmark result of four million motorists having signed up for the Government’s MOT reminder service. At the same time, they announced several new features to improve…
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DVSA Enforcement (Image): MOT Test pass issued on the computer, but no vehicle present – DVSA can monitor MOT passes being issued in real time on the MOT computer – if they see a pass being issued for a vehicle not on the premises they are watching, severe disciplinary action will follow. In a recent blog, the DVSA issued a…
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This morning DVSA announced a consultation to increase fees by 1.5% across all their services, including the MOT slot fee, and all other fees they charge, which includes driving test fees, and what they charge Authorised test centres for HGVs and Buses when DVSA staff conduct HGV MOT Tests at those Authorised sites. But what about the MOT fee? Historically,…
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The DVSA recently announced: “We are investing in ‘bodycams’ for all frontline enforcement staff to reduce physical and verbal assaults”, adding, “we need to be able to protect the public without fear of violence or abuse. We take a zero-tolerance approach to physical and verbal assaults and the bodycams will act as a deterrent. They will also enable us to…
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DVSA Enforcement activity up 35% In the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts published by DVSA, the key performance measure of cases where DVSA acted upon the most serous MOT fraud, dishonesty and negligence was up 35%, their target for the year being stated set as a 5% increase. The report states: “Enforcing the standards During the year there were 474…
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The MOT Club has issued advice, in the form of a placard, to remind Testers to input vehicle details, such as VIN number and registration directly from the vehicle they are Testing, rather than the job card. An increasing number of garages are being hit with a 500 point penalty for inadvertently issuing a Test certificate for a vehicle which…
Read MoreThe Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued the following vehicle safety recalls list. The list details vehicles which have been recalled due to a fault being found after manufacturing, and gives the vehicle make and model which is affected, and the reason for the recall. DVSA reference Make and model Reason for recall R/2014/137 Nissan: Micra Driver airbag…
Read MoreThe MOT for Car drivers If you’re looking for information about the UK MOT Test, and a complete list of MOT checks, you’ll find it in here. A selection of links is provided below, but there’s too much to list all of the content – explore the whole website by hovering on the tabs at the top of the page…
Read MoreWithdrawal of authority to do MOT Testing The Agency responsible for controlling and monitoring the activities of MOT Testing Stations and their MOT Testers, the Driver and Vehicle Services Agency (DVSA) have announced that in future, if for disciplinary reasons, a Testing Station is withdrawn from the MOT Scheme because they have fallen foul of the Testing regulations, then…
Read MoreThere’s been a new Special Notice issued: S/N 2-14 with three subjects as follows: Withdrawal of MOT Text Reminder Service: As most Testing Stations have their own reminder service these days, some by text, and others by post, it is assumed that this has been withdrawn through lack of demand. Registering MOTs which are the subject of a Cherished Transfer…
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Since the Driving Standards Agency, the DSA, has now merged with the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA), effective from April 2014, a name change was inevitable. The combined agency is to be called the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency or DVSA (don’t you love these acronyms!). Whilst the DfT issued a consultation earlier in the year asking people…
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