Most MOT staff would support companies being able to upload calibration certificates into the DVSA’s MOT Testing Service (MTS) on their behalf, new research shows.
The findings, based on a poll run by MOT Juice, comes at a time when MOT providers are facing mounting administrative tasks, including a new mandate for testers to manually record their annual training within the MTS.
According to the poll of over 5,000 MOT testers & managers, 61% would support calibration companies uploading their certificates into the MTS for them, with 23% opposing and 16% indifferent. These results highlight a clear desire for trusted suppliers to help MOT stations meet their increasing regulatory requirements.
Reducing admin in MTS
While it remains uncertain whether the DVSA will mandate the upload of calibration certificates, MOT Juice says such a move would reflect a broader shift towards increased data input and compliance monitoring within the MTS.
As outlined in DVSA Special Notice 02-24, published in April 2024, MOT testers are now required to manually input details of all annual training in their MTS accounts.
For almost a decade, MOT testers have needed to maintain comprehensive, DVSA-compliant training logs outside of the MTS, with training providers often managing these records on their behalf. The new requirement for manual data input creates additional workload without clear benefits.
This has led many in the industry to advocate for API integration that would allow automated data transfer between training providers & the MTS throughout the year, eliminating the need for repetitive manual input and reducing the risk of errors.
Call for further capabilities
In response to April’s Special Notice, MOT Juice is calling for the DVSA to consider extending the same technological capabilities used for exam result submissions to training records. Such integration would align with the DVSA’s objective of modernising the MOT testing process, enhance transparency, and ensure compliance without overburdening MOT testers with excessive administrative tasks.
“The technology is already there,” says Barry Babister, Managing Director at MOT Juice. “Automating the submission of exam results has proven successful in recent years. Extending this functionality to include training providers & calibration companies would be a logical next step, especially given the growing volume of data required to maintain accurate records.”
Clear message
MOT Juice says that both the results of the poll and the support for training record API integration send a clear message to the DVSA. This is that MOT providers are eager for trusted suppliers to be able to assist them with administrative tasks, like certificate uploads and training record management. The growing frustration within the industry reflects a desire for more efficient, technology-driven solutions to alleviate the burden on testers and managers.
“The industry is not asking for less accountability, but rather for a smarter, technology-driven approach to data management,” the company added. “Allowing suppliers to assist with uploading relevant documentation into the MTS would streamline processes, reduce the risk of non-compliance due to administrative errors, and free up MOT testers and managers to focus on their most important responsibility, helping to keep Britain’s roads safe. “
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