The DVSA has been given the power to change the way it conducts MOTs.
Drivers set for MOT change in all tests taking place before Christmas (Image: undefined)
Motorists are bracing for a major MOT overhaul in September and October. The Labour Government has granted the DVSA enhanced powers to revolutionise how it carries out MOTs in a sweeping crackdown on so-called “ghost” number plates.
September and October mark the peak period for MOT examinations, and drivers undertaking tests before Christmas will encounter rule changes for the first time. The DVSA explains: “We’ve moved away from capturing just the number plate and recording that in MTS, and instead we want to get a photo of the whole vehicle in the testing bay. Our original aim with capturing images of vehicles was to ultimately prevent fraudulent, ghost MOTs happening, and we think this method will be a better way of allowing us to do this.”, reports Birmingham Live.
Autumn is a peak period for MOTs (Image: Getty)
“Although we’re focusing on the image capture of the whole vehicle right now, we still want to see how we might be able to use technology to interpret the image capture – for example checking the location, the registration plate or vehicle type. However, we are taking this one step at a time – we know many of you found this useful last time, but we want to start with getting the basics working!”.
The DVSA further explained: “The new prototype feature will prompt you to take a photo of the vehicle in a testing bay, after you’ve entered the number plate or VIN.
“You will need to do this on a phone or a tablet. You can start the test on a computer, but you will still need to take a photo of the vehicle with a phone or tablet; you won’t be able to do this using a webcam.
“The service will give you prompts on how to capture the photo and what we’re looking for. It’ll then be saved against the record, and you’ll be able to carry out the rest of the MOT as normal.
“You will not be able to upload images stored on your device before or after the test, we only allow images taken from the camera through the MTS at that time.”
