UK Statutory Instrument
1981
United Kingdom
Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
12 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 6
- Applicant 1
- Director or Officer 1
- Contractor 1
Plus 3 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Applicants also bound by 146 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 22 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 20 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 20 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 12 duties
- Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 2017 10 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 75 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 63 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 46 duties
- CCBSA 2014 2014 22 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 18 duties
Contractors also bound by 56 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 360 duties
- The Income Tax (Sub-contractors in the Construction Industry) Regulations 1993 1993 19 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 2000 17 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 2012 15 duties
- Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 1996 14 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — GENERAL
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part II — APPLICATIONS FOR, AND CONDITIONS AND CESSATIONS OF, APPROVAL, AUTHORISATION AND DESIGNATION
The approval conditions
- Ensure MOT examiner training and notify DVSA of testing locations Any Person
The corporate authorisation conditions
- Ensure staff training and notify DVSA of personnel changes Director or Officer
The designation conditions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must follow MOT testing station and inspector rules Local authority
The general authorisation conditions
- Comply with MOT testing authorisation conditions Any Person
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Application for approval as nominated tester or inspector or authorisation as authorised examiner
Approvals, authorisations and designations
Cessations: general
Cessations: action by Secretary of State
Cessations: return of documents and apparatus
Application for designation
Supplementary provision relating to vehicle testing station signs
The individual authorisation conditions
Part III — EXAMINATIONS
Applications for examinations
- Offer and record MOT test appointments for vehicle examinations Contractor
Notification of examinations and results
- Record and report MOT examination results electronically Any Person
Refusal of a test certificate where braking test cannot be carried out
- Stop MOT testing and refuse certificate if braking test is dangerous Any Person
Removal of vehicles submitted for examination
- Remove your vehicle from the testing station after an MOT or examination Any Person
EXAMINATIONS
- Ensure vehicles meet specific conditions before submitting for an MOT test Applicant
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part IV — APPEALS
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part V — FEES
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Fees for examinations
Fees on appeals
Part VI — OTHER MATTERS
Duplicate test certificates
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DVSA must issue duplicate MOT certificates upon valid application Statutory regulator
Charges for entries in the electronic record and payments on account
- Pay required fees and maintain credit for MOT electronic records Any Person
Review of the prescribed requirements for tests
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must periodically review MOT test requirements Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Other records to be kept and returns to be furnished
Inspection of premises, apparatus and records
Notices
Computation of time
Certificates of temporary exemption
Access to particulars in the records
Sale of particulars in, and information derived from, the records
Charges for apparatus, etc. connected with the electronic record
Correction of errors in records and test certificates
Refunds
Return of apparatus and documents
Schedules
Browse 2 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Regulates drivers, vehicles, and operators in UK road transport. Issues operator licences for goods vehicles (HGVs) and PSVs. Enforces roadworthiness and driver …
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Browse legislation
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.