MOTGuard › For testers
Three things, every training year. Two of them you can do yourself — one of them only an awarding organisation can run. Here's exactly what each one is, who runs it, and the date that matters.
At least 3 hours per vehicle group, covering this year's topics. How you train is at your and your AE's discretion — training yourself is explicitly allowed:
Then record it on your MOT testing service training log: date, duration, topics, what you did and learned, groups, your name and MTS user ID.
GOV.UK lists exactly two routes to book it: the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) or Skills and Education Group Awards. Fail it? Study, log the study, wait 7 calendar days, retake — unlimited attempts within the year.
Passing isn't enough — the pass must be recorded against your MOT testing service profile by 31 March. Sitting the exam in time but missing the upload still means suspension, so leave slack and chase your provider if the result hasn't appeared.
Your training log must also be on MTS — a tester AND the business they work for can be suspended if training isn't recorded there.
| You / MOTGuard / any trainer | IMI / SEG Awards | DVSA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual training (3h+ per group) | ✓ Yes — self-directed counts | optional courses exist | sets the topics only |
| Training record | ✓ You record it on MTS | — | reviews it remotely |
| Annual assessment (30 questions) | ✗ No — nobody else can run it | ✓ Only route | sets the topics and pass mark |
| Demonstration test | ✗ Never | ✗ Never | ✓ DVSA only |
And separately — keep testing. Separately from training: to keep testing status a tester must complete a full MOT test within each 6-month period for each test group they test. If not, their status lapses for that group. Resuming after a lapse of over 6 months and up to 5 years requires the current year’s annual training and assessment, additional training, and a demonstration test; over 5 years requires initial tester training again.
This is NOT the DVSA annual assessment. Only the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and Skills and Education Group Awards issue the annual assessment — book it with them once your training is done. You must also record your training on the MOT testing service yourself.
Yes. Testers are responsible for planning and doing their own training. DVSA explicitly accepts training done alone or in a group by: studying MOT inspection manuals, special notices and the testing guide; discussing what you are learning with another tester or group of testers; demonstrating what you are learning to another tester; or learning from a more experienced tester. Booking a course through a provider is optional, not required.
A training record must show: the date of the training; how long it lasted; the topics covered; notes on what you did, how you did it and what you learned; which vehicle groups it covered; and the tester’s name and MTS user ID.
Testers who do not successfully complete the annual assessment and have a pass recorded against their MOT testing service profile by 31 March have their testing status suspended. They must stop carrying out MOT tests. To be unsuspended they must do the training and pass the annual assessment on the NEXT year’s topics, then request and pass an MOT demonstration test.
A practical MOT test carried out in front of a DVSA officer, on a real vehicle of testable age, requested from DVSA. It applies when a tester returns after suspension or a lapse in testing — it is run by DVSA only, never by a training or assessment provider.
The 2026/27 pass mark is 80%. If a tester does not pass, there is no limit on how many times the assessment can be taken during the same training year — but after a failed assessment the tester should take time to study, record that study on their training log, and wait 7 calendar days before retaking.
MOTGuard's tester training is built directly on the 2026-27 GOV.UK topics, and every completion writes a DVSA-format training record into your station's compliance diary. Free trial, no card.
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