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Become a Nominated Tester

This guide is aimed at anyone who wants to find out how to become an MOT tester. To become a Nominated Tester (NT) - someone who is approved to carry out MOT tests - you must successfully complete a Nominated Tester Training (NTT) course. If you already hold the required qualifications and meet other necessary requirements then you may be able to progress straight to the NTT course. If you do not hold the relevant qualifications but you meet the other professional requirements then you will need to sit a Nominated Tester Training Assessment (NTTA) exam. Once this is passed, you can take the NTT course. This guide will look at what the exam and training involves and how to apply. It will also look at continued testing through monthly quality control checks and five-yearly refresher courses.

What is a Nominated Tester?

A Nominated Tester (NT) is someone who is approved to carry out an MOT. The MOT is the standard that a vehicle must be required to meet at least once a year to ensure minimum standards for road safety are met. AN NT checks the vehicle against a set list of criteria, ranging from electrical component checks to the mechanical workings of the vehicle. The NT then decides whether the vehicle has met the standard that is necessary for the issue of an MOT test certificate (VT20). Specific training and skills are needed by NTs to qualify to test each class of vehicle.

Qualifying as a Nominated Tester

Whether you hold any existing qualifications or not, to become a Nominated Tester (NT) you need to:

be nominated by an Authorised Examiner (AE).
have a current and full UK driving licence for the vehicle classes you wish to test
be a skilled mechanic with at least four years' full-time employment in the service - and repair - of the vehicle types to be tested
have no unspent convictions for criminal offences connected with the MOT testing scheme or the motor trade, or involving acts of violence or intimidation be
otherwise of good repute

Testing classes I and II
To test classes I and II, you will need to complete the two-day Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Nominated Tester Training (NTT) course.

Testing classes III, IV, V or VII
To test these vehicle classes, you also will need to pass the Nominated Tester Training Assessment (NTTA) exam or hold one of the required qualifications listed in VOSA's testing guide

You will also need to pass the Nominated Tester Training Light Vehicle (NTTLV) training course.

Taking the Nominated Tester Training Assessment exam

You need to take the Nominated Tester Training Assessment (NTTA) exam if you want to become an MOT tester and have the relevant experience but do not already hold one of the relevant qualifications outlined on the page in this guide on qualifying as a Nominated Tester.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) NTTA exam, which takes place at your local VOSA office, takes one and a half hours and consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

To apply to take the exam, fill out a VT78 application form and return it to:
VOSA Training Services
Booking section
Berkeley House
Croydon Street
Bristol
BS5 ODA

Once you have passed the exam, you will then need to complete either a two - or three-day Nominated Tester Training (NTT) course, depending on the vehicle classes you wish to test.

The VOSA NTTA exam and NTT course are free to individuals who qualify.

Making an appeal

If you don't pass your NTTA exam and you wish to appeal the decision, you can write to your local Area Office which will review your circumstances and decide whether to uphold the decision to fail you. Contact VOSA for details of your local area office.