ANNUAL TEST: Unlike a car MOT it is a type of lorry MOT check used for:
- Goods vehicles with a gross weight over 3,500 kilograms (kg).
- Vehicles built (or adapted) to form part of an articulated vehicle.
- Semi-trailers.
- Horseboxes with a gross weight over 3,500 kilograms (kg).
- ‘A’ frame trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after the 1st of January 1979.
- Trailers with an unladen weight over 1,020kg with powered braking systems (instead of standard overrun brakes and as well as the required parking brake).
- All public service vehicles (PSV) with more than 8 passenger seats. The count excludes the driver seat.
Note: The ‘Declaration of exemption from goods vehicle testing V112G‘ lists those that are exempt from the annual test. But, in some cases you may still need to get an MOT for the vehicle.
Annual Test for Lorries
Annual testing for lorries, buses, and coaches means they must get tested each year. The first test takes place 12 months after the vehicle was first registered with the DVLA. Trailers get tested one year after they first got sold or supplied.
The test gets carried out at one of two places. It can be a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency test station or it can be a ‘privately’ owned Authorised Testing Facility. DVSA staff will carry out the annual test at both places and according to the same test standards.
Note: Haulage contractors with lorries, buses, and coaches often get a vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic before the test. It can be a prudent way to prepare for the DVSA annual vehicle test.
Booking the Annual Vehicle Test
You should book a test at an Authorised Test Facility or at a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency test station.
- You can book a lorry, bus, or trailer annual test (MOT) at an ATF online or over the phone.
- The online test booking system is for those who need a single annual test or a test for multiple vehicles at a DVSA test station. You can book this type of annual test up to 93 days in advance.
Single Annual Test Procedures
The online service allows you to book a single annual test at a DVSA test station via the GOV.UK website. You can also reschedule or cancel an annual test (or paid retest) for:
- Heavy goods vehicles (including horse boxes)
- Public service vehicles (PSVs)
- Trailers
- Vehicle and trailer combinations
You can make the booking for a single annual test up to 93 days in advance as long as you can provide:
- The vehicle make and model along with the registration number (or trailer identification number).
- Information on the type of heavy goods vehicle (articulated or rigid) and how many axles it has.
- The type and number of axles of any trailer units.
- Details on how many passengers it can carry (for PSVs only).
- A payment method (e.g. a debit or credit card).
The service does not allow bookings for:
- Dangerous goods tests
- Individual Vehicle Approval or motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval tests
- Low Emission Certificate tests
- Part-paid tests
- Technical tests, for example a first-time trailer test
- Vehicle identity checks
- Voluntary tests
Note: You can apply for a vehicle test or certificate for a lorry or trailer using the technical application submission (TAS) service (e.g. for first time tests, notifiable alterations, and to replace plating or test documents).
How to Cancel, Reschedule, or View a Booking
When you made the original booking you would have received and order reference number (e.g. A123-BB44). You need it for cancelling, rescheduling, or viewing bookings. The same service also allows you to manage a DVSA pre-funded account and update personal contact details.
Note: Cancelling or rescheduling a single annual test within three (3) working days would mean you lose your fee. Working days means Monday to Friday and excludes UK bank holidays.
Booking Tests for Multiple Vehicles
Providing you have already registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency you will be able to book tests for multiple vehicles at a DVSA test station, including:
- Annual tests
- Paid retests
- Prohibition clearances
- Low Emissions Certificate (LEC) tests
- Voluntary tests
You need to register with the DVSA to receive your membership and confirmation numbers required for the online service.
DVSA Helpline
Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 6pm
Check phone call charges.
Note: There is no need to register to book an annual test for a single vehicle. Contact the DVSA if you lose your membership and confirmation numbers.
Setting Up a Pre-funded Account
If you set up a pre-funded account (minimum £250) you will be able to deposit money to pay the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for vehicle tests and for other services.
The service does not allow bookings for:
- Part-paid retests
- Technical tests (e.g. a first-time trailer test)
- Vehicle identity check
- Individual Vehicle Approval or motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval tests
How to Cancel, Reschedule, or View a Booking
When you made the original booking you would have received and order reference number (e.g. 1-212101212). You need it for cancelling, rescheduling, or viewing bookings. The same service also allows you to manage a DVSA pre-funded account and update personal contact details.
Note: Cancelling or rescheduling annual tests for multiple vehicles within three (3) working days would mean you lose your fee. Working days means Monday to Friday (check the dates on a UK bank holiday calendar).
Lorry Annual Test Fees
There is a range of fees for vehicle testing and it depends most on the size and type of the vehicle. But, you can check the cost by downloading:
Note: Fees for the annual test (MOT) for lorries, buses, and trailers may differ in Northern Ireland.
Documents for the Test Station
You will need to take some documentation to the testing station including:
- The appointment letter (if applicable).
- The previous annual test certificate for the vehicle.
- The plating certificate for the vehicle.
- A tachograph exemption form (if your vehicle is exempt).
Note: In most cases, you will get asked to drive your own vehicle during the test.
Annual Tests for Horseboxes
The test centre will want to check the braking system on a horsebox. Thus, use some heavy items to load up the horsebox before the test. You can use things like bags of fertiliser, horse feed, or bales of straw.
Note: Inform the testing station if you made any changes to the horsebox since its last test. Further guidance is available for horsebox and trailer owners.
Minor Repairs at the Test Station
The test inspector might ask you to make some minor repairs to the vehicle. They may allow you to make some minor repairs at the test centre. But, only if the repairs are safe, quick to carry out, and do not delay the testing of any other vehicles.
Note: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency staff only examine vehicles for annual tests. They cannot provide tools, materials, or mechanical information to help with vehicle repairs.
Failing the Annual Vehicle Test
You must take your vehicle away from the testing centre if it fails the annual test. This is your opportunity to get the faults fixed.
The process differs to standard MOT rules and regulations for cars and motorbikes. As a rule, most test centres will not have the facility to repair the vehicle. Thus, you must get it repaired yourself and then book another test. You will also need to pay the retest fee.
Major Faults
The inspector will not allow a vehicle on the road if he finds any major or serious faults. In some isolated cases, they may allow you to make on-site emergency repairs before the retest.
Annual Test Result Appeals
You can make an appeal if you disagree with the annual test result. The test inspector can give you further details of the appeals process. But, you must submit an appeal form within fourteen (14) days of the test. You will need to use:
- Form VTG17 ‘Appeal a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or trailer annual test decision‘.
- Form VTP17 ‘Appeal a public service (PSV) annual test decision‘.
Fill in the relevant appeal form and send it to the address written on the document. In some cases, it will need to go to the same test station. There is a fee to make an annual vehicle test appeal.