Why must vehicles be tested?

DVA TEST CENTRE It is an offence to use a vehicle of testable age that doesn’t have a current test certificate on a public road.

Driving without a test certificate

However, you may drive without a test certificate when travelling to a test station for a test booked in advance, when driving from a test centre to a place of repair when a vehicle has failed the test or when driving the vehicle to or away from a place where, by previous arrangement, repairs are to be made or have been made to fix the problems that caused the vehicle to fail its test.

Even in these circumstances you may still be prosecuted for driving an unroadworthy vehicle if it doesn’t comply with various regulations affecting its construction and use. Also, your insurance may not be valid if your vehicle doesn't have a valid test certificate.

How do I apply and what does it cost?

You can book a test by phone or online. The fees for vehicle tests can be found

Do I have to display the MOT disc on the windscreen?

Yes, the disc should be displayed on the passenger’s side and should be close to the edge of the windscreen, so as not to block the driver’s view of the road. The motorcycle certificate should be displayed on the nearside of the motorcycle in a weatherproof container.

Buses, taxis and LPCVs

Buses, taxis, trailers and other vehicles must also be tested. Information on which vehicles must be tested, and when, is in the various test application forms. If you need further information, please contact your nearest DVA test centre.

Where are the test centres?

Goods vehicles and trailers

All goods vehicles with an unladen weight up to and including 3,500 kgs (light goods vehicles) must be submitted for first test on the third anniversary of the date on which they were first registered and annually thereafter.

However, goods vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 3,500 kgs (heavy goods vehicles) must be tested at the end of their first year and annually thereafter.

For a trailer the test is due on the first anniversary of registration and then every year afterwards. For more information on whether your goods vehicle must be tested, contact your nearest DVA test centre.

Where are the test centres?

Can an MOT be carried out at any time?

If the vehicle is tested within 28 days prior to when the MOT is due, the test certificate will run from the date of the test to one year after the expiry date of the current certificate. For example, if the current certificate was due to expire on 1 April 2009, and the vehicle was presented on or after 4 March 2009, the certificate would run from the test date until 1 April 2010.

The same rule would also apply when the vehicle is taken in within 28 days of its first MOT. In this case, the vehicle owner would need to present their registration document.

If the vehicle is tested earlier than 28 days before its due date, the MOT will only run for twelve months.

Please Note: When a vehicle from outside NI (including GB), is presented for its initial MOT within NI, the NI Legislation will only permit a MOT certificate to be issued for one year from the date of the test; the Legislation does not permit issuing renewal certificates from other testing regimes.

What does a test centre look at during an MOT test?

A strict routine is uniformly applied in all test centres to test the safety and roadworthiness of your vehicle. The vehicle test procedure is described in detail, including the testing criteria. This list of items that are checked at each stage of the inspection are not exhaustive but identifies the main items subject to inspection.