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 an 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