MOT Tester Training
"Apprenticeships are a proven route to success
in the motor industry" – IMI
In the last year over 11,000 young people have once again chosen to start an automotive apprenticeship. As the nation celebrates the important role that apprentices play in the economy those young people can be confident that they have chosen a great way to start their career.
In a Populus survey in 2009 82% of employers agreed that apprentices provide the skilled workers we need for the future.
As the Sector Skills Council for the retail motor industry the IMI (the Institute of the Motor Industry) partners with industry employers to identify the sector’s current and future skill needs. It promotes and facilitates solutions to increase the professional competence and career prospects of over 500,000 employees.
Matt Curtis, Team Manager of Derby College Motor Vehicle Academy and Fellow of the IMI is an example of the diverse opportunities available in the motor industry since he started his career as an apprentice at a small independent garage in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. He can attribute much of this success to his determination throughout his career to consistently improve his professional knowledge and skills.He completed his technical apprenticeship at a Vauxhall Dealership where he won the IMI Mechanics Cup for Nottinghamshire in 1990 before becoming a Customer Advisor for both Nissan and Peugeot. He then subsequently moved into the management side of the business as a service manager for a Peugeot franchise. He is now devoting his time to improving the skills of apprentices in the motor industry and leads a team of 17 teaching staff in a brand new state of the art building at the Derby College Motor Vehicle Academy.
Matt said: “The perception of a career as a technician in the motor industry is still seen by many as back street and unskilled however, for me, it has been a very rewarding and varied trade and I wouldn’t be where I am today without having started out as an apprentice. Although I started my career in a small independent garage, my career pathway demonstrates that there are a broad range of opportunities.
However, we are now also looking for a new breed of technician with skills to cope with the dramatic and frequent advances in automotive technology. Some cars have got over 20 onboard computers alone and we need good quality apprentices to be the skilled workforce of the future.”Stirling Wood, Head of Skills Development at the Institute of the Motor Industry said: “The retail automotive industry is an attractive sector to work in which is open to all and has very clear career progression pathways. Apprenticeships continue to be a fantastic way to get into the industry and it is great to see the success that former apprentices have achieved.”
Becoming an MOT Tester
To qualify to become an MOT Tester you must first have a job with an MOT Testing garage. The owner (or the Authorised Examiner, if they are not the same person) must then nominate you to VOSA to become a Tester, or Nominated Tester (NT) to use the proper term. VOSA have certain criteria which a potential Tester has to fulfil.
To become a Nominated Tester (NT) you must:
- be sponsored by the Authorised Examiner (AE) of a Vehicle Testing Station - in sponsoring you the AE is not only stating that to the best of their belief you have the necessary background, experience, integrity, etc. to carry out MOT Testing but is also willing to provide the necessary facilities for you to practice Testing and to be able to demonstrate to VOSA that you are competent before you are allowed to carry out actual Tests;
- be at least 20 years old;
- have a full unrestricted UK driving licence for the vehicle class(es) you wish to Test. (see note below)
- be a skilled mechanic with at least four years experience repairing the vehicle types to be Tested;
- have no "unspent" convictions, as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, for criminal offences connected with the Vehicle Testing Scheme or the motor trade, or involving acts of violence or intimidation;
- be otherwise of good repute.
In addition, to become a Tester for a particular type of vehicle you must either possess an acceptable vocational educational qualification or, in the absence of such qualification, pass VOSA’s Nominated Tester Assessment examination, NTT(A) - a special multiple choice Test set by VOSA. (Sample NTTA questions here).
The NTTA exam, which takes place at your local VOSA office, takes one and a half hours and consists of 60 multiple choice questions.
The following is a list of educational qualifications currently acceptable to VOSA. Other qualifications are periodically added to the list. If you have qualifications which are not on the list but you believe are equivalent, telephone VOSA to find out if it is about to be added to the list.
1. National Craft Certificate in the specialism of Vehicle Maintenance and Electronic Systems;
2. City and Guilds -
a. Repair and Servicing of Road Vehicles, 383 - full level 2 or 3
b. Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, Modular - part 3 (requires 3 modules)
c. Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, 381 - full Part 2 or 3
d. Motor Vehicle Craft Studies (pre-381 syllabus) - full Part 2
e. Light Vehicle Mechanics Craft Studies - full Part 2 or 3
f. Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Craft Studies - full Part 2 or 3
g. Motor Vehicle Technician's Certificate - full Part 1
3. Business and Technician Educational Council
Motor Vehicle Engineering Studies, National Certificate or ONC
4. Scottish Vocational Educational Council
National Certificate in Vehicle Mechanics and Systems, Part 3
5. National Vocational Qualifications or Scottish Vocational Qualifications
Vehicle Mechanical and Electronic Systems - Maintenance and Repair (LV) or (HV) Level 3
Note: The list of acceptable qualifications are contained in appendix 5 of the MOT Testing Guide, 5th Edition, a copy of which every MOT Testing station must keep.
Having passed the NTTA exam, or if you are able to satisfy any of the above qualification criteria, you will then need to complete either a two - or three-day course, depending on the vehicle class that you wish to test:
Class I and II
The two-day Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) course for motorbike MOT testing covers the following aspects:
- relevant acts and regulations
- individual tester needs
- classes of vehicle
- standards and procedures
- reasons for refusal to start a test
- recent changes
- tools for the job
- documentation and security
- vehicle testing station (VTS) MOT Computerisation device issues
Class III, IV, V or VII
The three-day course for class III, IV, V and VII covers:
- relevant acts and regulations
- tools needed for the job
- when you can refuse to begin a test
- use of the testing manual
- standards and procedures
- documentation and security
- use of the VTS MOT Computerisation device
- routine inspection
- classes of vehicle
You will also need to pass the Nominated Tester Training Light Vehicle (NTTLV) training course.
Cost
The VOSA NTTA exam and NTT course are free to individuals who qualify.
Nominated Tester Application Form
For your convenience and reference, a copy of the Nominated Tester Application Form may be downloaded here. Ensure it is the current version before using it.
For further information contact the MOT enquiry unit on 0845 6005977 or your local area office, a list of which is contained in the Guide which can, in turn be obtained at HM Stationery Office.
©Punters Publishing Ltd 2010