• Do some of your vehicles or trailers need to be tested in August, September, October or November this year?  If so, please be aware of the following: 

Test availability: Last year the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency issued  exemptions to help keep industry moving during the pandemic. As a result, test dates are not evenly spread throughout the year and August, September, October and November are significantly busier than usual.  

Move your test to May, June or July 2021: The DVSA are expecting much lower test volumes in May, June and July, and therefore ATFs will have more tests available in those months. For peace of mind, DVSA are therefore advising those with tests due  in August, September, October and November to move to May, June or July and avoid the busier months later in the year. Moving your tests to a quieter month will guarantee you your test date.  Doing this will also help avoid issues in future years in that the demand for vehicle maintenance and preparation is spread out during the year and ensures that ATFs are able to manage the demand and ensure the right levels of staffing. 

Check ATF Availability

You need to get HGV or bus or trailer MOT (also known as an ‘annual test’) for:

• goods vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3,500 kilograms (kg)
• vehicles that are built or have been adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle
• semi-trailers
• horseboxes with a gross weight of more than 3,500kg
• ‘A’ frame trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after 1 January 1979
• trailers with an unladen weight of more than 1,020kg with powered braking systems (instead of standard overrun brakes and as well as the required parking brake)
• all public service vehicles (such as buses and coaches) with more than 8 passenger seats - not including the driver’s seat