Becoming a Nominated Tester
- What is a Nominated Tester?
- What is an NT’s role?
- What are the criteria I must fulfil to become a qualified NT?
- As an NT, what happens if I get disqualified from driving?
- Can I carry out a class V road test without an appropriate driving licence?
- What if I don’t have a UK Licence?
- What qualifications do I need and what training will I receive?
- Once I am qualified, do I need to take any additional training?
- When can I start to test vehicles?
- What should I do if I cease to be an NT?
What is a Nominated Tester?
Nominated Testers’ (NT) are those persons employed by Authorised Examiners (AE) to carry out and personally supervise MOT Tests, and to sign test certificates.
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What is an NT’s role?
NT duties include:
- Completing vehicle component tests;
- signing test certificates;
- sign notices of refusal of test certificates; and,
- return to these duties following a period during which he was not nominated to carry out tests.
An NT must personally supervise his MOT Tests - Personal supervision means supervision that is close enough for the NT to make all decisions on passing or failing every testable item on a test. This will involve not only closely observing every part of the test, but in some cases this may also involve handling components to determine for example, the degree of wear in a component or the amount of 'give' due to corrosion.
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What are the criteria I must fulfil to become a qualified NT?
To qualify to become an NT, for any class of vehicle, an applicant must;
- be sponsored by the AE of a Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) - in sponsoring a prospective NT the AE is stating that, to the best of the AEs belief, the candidate has the necessary background, experience and integrity to carry out MOT testing, The AE must also, however, provides necessary facilities for the candidate to practice testing, and to be able to demonstrate to VOSA that they are competent before they are allowed to carry out actual MOT Tests.
- be at least 20 years old;
- have a full unrestricted UK driving licence for the vehicle class(es) they wish to test. For Motorcycles, this means a full licence for all types and sizes of machine;
- be a skilled mechanic with at least four years experience repairing the types of vehicle that they wish to test;
- have no 'unspent' convictions, as defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, for criminal offences connected with the vehicle testing scheme or the motor trade, or involving acts of violence or intimidation; and,
- be otherwise of good repute.
In addition, anyone wishing to become an NT for classes III, IV, V or VII must either possess an acceptable vocational qualification or, in the absence of such qualification, they must pass VOSA's Nominated Tester Assessment examination NTT(a) (see Training Courses). This requirement does not apply to NTs who have previously tested vehicles of these classes at any time, unless they are returning to testing following suspension for disciplinary reasons.
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As an NT, what happens if I get disqualified from driving?
An NT is not automatically subject to cessation from MOT testing on loss of his driving licence. Clearly a disqualified NT must not carry out road tests where these are necessary. This requirement can pose major problems for motorcycle VTSs where a road test may be necessary for a number of reasons, but is less troublesome for other classes where a road test is only normally necessary if a decelerometer brake test is needed. An NT without a valid driving licence should not start an MOT test if a road test is likely to be needed. If however, that need becomes apparent during a test, the test must be aborted and repeated in full by an NT with a valid driving licence. Should the VTS be unable to provide a suitable NT at the time, it must refund any test fee paid or, if the customer agrees, make an alternative appointment when a suitable NT will be available.
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A disqualified driver can attend any training course during the period of disqualification. The NT will be required to provide his Smart Card when attending the training course.
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Can I carry out a class V road test without an appropriate driving licence?
Anyone wishing to drive a vehicle with more than 16 passenger seats, in addition to the driver, needs an appropriate category D driving licence. Any NT not possessing such a licence cannot therefore carry out road tests on some class V vehicles.
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What if I don’t have a UK Licence?
Under current law, holders of non-UK driving licences are only permitted to drive under these licences from 12 months from entry into the UK. In the case of an NT or prospective NT who holds only a non UK licence this will be treated as equivalent to a UK licence if evidence is produced to show that the person has been a UK resident for less than 12 months.
If the non-UK licence is neither to the European Communities model nor in English it must be accompanied by a certified translation. An International Driving Permit issued on the basis of a non UK licence will be treated similarly if produced along with the national licence on which its issue was based and certified translation if required.
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What qualifications do I need and what training will I receive?
Before a person is to be permitted to carry out NT duties, they must have satisfied VOSA that they met the relevant criteria, and has successfully completed the relevant training plus demonstration tests. This means holding acceptable qualifications and completing a VOSA NT Training Courses, as detailed below:
Acceptable Qualifications
Vocational educational qualifications acceptable to VOSA are:
National Craft Certificate;
- Specialism of Vehicle Maintenance and Electronic Systems;
City and Guilds
- Repair and Servicing of Road Vehicles, 383 - full level 2 or 3
- Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, Modular - part 3 (requires 3 modules)
- Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, 381 - full part 2 or 3
- Motor Vehicle Craft Studies, (pre 381 syllabus) - full part 2
- Light Vehicle Mechanics Craft Studies, full part 2 or 3
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Craft Studies - full part 2 or 3
- Motor Vehicle Technician's Certificates - full part 1
Other Awarding Bodies
- Business and Technical Education Council;
- Motor Vehicle Engineering Studies, National Certificate or ONC;
- Scottish Vocational Education Council
- National Certificate in Vehicle Mechanics and Systems, Part 3;
- National Vocational Qualifications or Scottish Vocational Qualifications;
- Vehicle Mechanical and Electronic Systems - Maintenance and Repair (LV) or (HV) Level 3.
As proof of passing VOSA will require to see the originals of the final certificate (or originals of duplicates issued by the examining authority). 'Records of Achievement', unit credits towards the final certificate, or other similar documentation are not acceptable.
Periodically, extra qualifications are added to the list. This can only be done by VOSA after consulting the awarding body and satisfying ourselves that the qualification represents an appropriate level of achievement.
If you have qualifications not on the list but which you believe to be equivalent please do not send evidence of the qualification but phone VOSA Training Services on 0117 9543434, to find out if the particular qualification is about to be added to the list.
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VOSA NT Training Course
In addition to meeting the criteria given above, those seeking to become NTs must successfully complete a VOSA training course that explains the processes of MOT testing and reinforces the standards set out in the relevant Inspection Manuals. They must also satisfactorily complete a demonstration test.
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Once I am qualified, do I need to take any additional training?
Qualified NT’s must keep up to date with current practices and standards by:
- Studying all relevant Special Notices
, amendments to this guide and amendments to the appropriate inspection manual; - Attending and successfully completing any refresher training required by VOSA;
- Training on the use of any new or modified equipment installed at their VTS; and,
- Studying or training on the significance and correct functioning of any new features that are introduced on vehicle types that are likely to be submitted for test.
Qualified NTs must also carry out MOT tests, QC checks or both on a regular basis, and will be required to carry out demonstration tests for officers of VOSA.
NTs may be required to undertake additional training or carry out demonstration tests before being allowed to test vehicles in classes that they have not previously been testing.
Further detail on required training and demonstration tests can be found in the MOT Testing Guide 5th Edition and will be included on line with MOT Training Course Details over the coming months.
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When can I start to test vehicles?
Once VOSA has confirmed to the AE in writing that it is satisfied, the person's name can be added to the List of Nominated Testers (VT 26)
at the sponsoring VTS.
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What should I do if I cease to be an NT?
If an NT ceases to be actively involved in MOT testing (whether due to change of duties, employment or location or for any other reason) his name must immediately, be removed from the VT26 by the AE and the local VOSA office informed in writing. A person carrying out Quality Control checks is considered to be actively involved.
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MOT Training
This is a range of training courses to help those in the MOT industry.
Special Notices
These Special Notices are published by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and concern changes within the MOT Testing scheme. [This information is held on an external site.]
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