DVSA announces heavy vehicle test exemptions

DVSA announces heavy vehicle test exemptions

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that some vehicles and trailers with MOTs up to March 2021 will now get exemptions.


Have I got an exemption?

Eligible vehicles and trailers with November and December 2020 test dates (except first test vehicles) have now been given 3 or 12-month exemptions.

The DVSA expects to have all the remaining exemptions added to vehicles and trailers by early November 2020. First test vehicle and trailer exemptions can only be completed the month before they are due.

Exemption status Eligibility
12-month exemption

Either:

  • Earned Recognition operator (whole fleet)
  • Operator in green OCRS roadworthiness band with 50 or more roadworthiness events and a calculated roadworthiness base score of 1.3 or lower on 27 July 2020
  • Vehicle or trailer up to 2 years old
3-month exemption
  • Not previously had an exemption and not eligible for a 12-month exemption (see above)

To find out a new test expiry date, visit the MOT test history area.

A spreadsheet of all vehicles and trailers that have had exemptions applied to their original October, November and December 2020 test dates, can also be downloaded here.

The spreadsheet does not contain vehicles and trailers due their first test. The MOT history will need to be checked, to see if an MOT exemption has been applied.

Which vehicles/trailers need a test in November 2020?

Mandatory tests will be required for vehicles and trailers which do not qualify for a longer exemption. These are:

  • Vehicles given a 3-month exemption in August 2020

The MOT test history function will provide the capability to check vehicle and trailer test expiry dates.

What advice has been given to ATFs?

The DVSA continues to remind ATFs about the vehicle/trailer tests they should prioritise. The highest priority are those which legally need a test:

  1. Vehicles/trailers legally due a test within a month
  2. Vehicles/trailers going on international journeys
  3. Dangerous goods vehicles
  4. Specialist vehicle types (e.g. refuse vehicles, gritters)
  5. Prohibition clearances

What if I am unable to get a test booking?

The DVSA has said it will make more testing staff available to ATFs at short notice and to check availability several times a range of ATFs.

To find ATFs within an area, visit the Book a lorry, bus or trailer annual test page.


For more information, click here.

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