Questions
- How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
- Does the 1-day cancellation rule still apply?
- Where/ How can I complain?
- What is the new equipment costing the taxpayer?
- What are the new testable items?
- Does the new equipment mean a different test from
before?
- Will my garage know how to prepare my vehicle to
be tested by the new equipment?
- What are the benefits of the new equipment?
- Do I still have to drive over the pits?
- Can I bring any passengers with me on the test?
- Do I have to display the new MOT disc in the
windscreen of my vehicle?
- Can I book my test over the telephone now that
MOT2 has been introduced?
- Do I need to apply for my vehicle test in advance?
- What happens if the vehicle fails the test?
- Can I appeal against the examiners decision?
- What happens if I appeal?
- If my vehicle is damaged during test, what do I
do?
- How can some schools seem to offer a
‘Guaranteed Pass’?
- What is the
advantage of taking an Assessment Lesson?
- Do you have a
dedicated fleet of specialist training vehicles?
- Do instructors
keep a daily written report on my driving progress?
- What assurances
to I have that I will receive proper and correct training?
- Is the school
easily accessible?
- Is there an
advantage to shared or individual training?
Answers
- How long will I have to wait for
an appointment?
- Refer to Waiting Times.
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- Does the 1-day cancellation rule
still apply?
- Yes the legal requirement is 1 clear working day: ie, Clear days
exclude Saturday Sunday Public and Bank holidays. Easter Tuesday
counts as a public holiday but Good Friday does not. These days also
exclude the date on which you tell us you wish to cancel the date of
the test. For Example, if you wish to cancel a Tuesday appointment
you must tell us by the previous Friday.
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- Where/ How can I complain?
- A copy of our Complaints Procedure Leaflet can be obtained from
any DVTA centre. You may wish in the first instance to discuss your
complaint with the manager of the centre you visit, who will be
happy to help you. Our Customer Services Manager will also be happy
to talk to you if you wish.
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- What is the new equipment costing
the taxpayer?
- In line with the services offered by the agency the full cost of
the provision is met from the fees charged for the services. These
will rise in line with the additional services offered.
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- What are the new testable items?
- These are a catalytic converter test for petrol engines, a
metered smoke test for diesel engines and a headlamp beam test for
all vehicles. All new tests are being introduced in line with EC
requirements and will bring the test in NI into line with the rest
of the EC.
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- Does the new equipment mean a
different test from before?
- No. The test continues to be based on the present legal
requirements for Construction & Use of vehicles. Introduction of the
revised test procedures will assist in ensuring standardisation
across all testing centres and will provide enhanced information to
customers on the condition of their vehicles.
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- Will my garage know how to
prepare my vehicle to be tested by the new equipment?
- Yes. The testing requirements remain the same as they were for
the previous test and garages will continue to prepare vehicles to
meet the legal requirements. In the case of the test items, garages
will be advised of the testing requirements and how they are
measured.
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- What are the benefits of the new
equipment?
- The new equipment puts DVTA at the forefront of vehicle testing.
It will be a quicker test for private cars, will help to ensure a
standardised test throughout the 15 test centres and will increase
the objective element in the test. Customers will also be able to
obtain more detailed information on the performance of their cars in
the test.
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- Do I still have to drive over the
pits?
- No. The vehicle test is now carried out without the need to
drive over any pits. You simply take your car to the first stage and
follow simple commands i.e. switching your lights on. The vehicle
examiner carries out the second stage. You can take a seat in the
viewing area or remain in the passenger seat. The third and final
stage is when the car is raised up on scissor lifts and inspected
underneath.
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- Can I bring any passengers with
me on the test?
- We advise customers to come to the test alone. If this is not
possible, there is a seating area within the test hall or,
alternatively, customers can wait in the reception area of the test
centre.
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- Do I have to display the new MOT
disc in the windscreen of my vehicle?
- No. It is not compulsory to display the MOT disc at present.
There is the intention to introduce compulsary display at a later
date. Therefore, we would encourage you to display your disc now.
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- Can I book my test over the
telephone now that MOT2 has been introduced?
- You can use telephone booking for all our centres. Contact the
Booking line on 0845 247 2471 for further details.
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- Do I need to apply for my
vehicle test in advance?
- Yes. You should preferably apply at least 4 weeks, but not more
than three months, beforehand. We can issue a new test certificate
up to 28 days before the current certificate expires. The
certificate will be dated from the current certificate's expiry
date, as long as you inform the examiner and produce the previous
certificate at the start of the test.
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- What happens if the vehicle
fails the test?
- You will get an inspection record sheet/notification of refusal
listing the faults, and a retest application form. We charge reduced
fees for retests, if we receive the application for re-test within
21 days of the original full test.
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- Can I appeal against the
examiners decision?
- Yes. You can appeal within 14 days of the decision. You can get
an appeal form from test centres. You must pay another fee.
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- What happens if I appeal?
- The vehicle will be re-examined and you will be asked about
repairs, etc, since the test. You must produce the inspection record
sheet/notification of refusal and registration book. If the examiner
allows the appeal, we will issue a test certificate. If there are
good reasons for the appeal, we may refund all or part of the fee.
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- If my vehicle is damaged during
test, what do I do?
- Please see our compensation policy under Customer Services
section
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How can some schools seem to offer a
‘Guaranteed Pass’?
Look at the small print. Some schools only offer a guaranteed
opportunity to take more than one test, not a guarantee of their
ability to teach you or your ability to drive and pass the driving
test.
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- What is the advantage of taking an
Assessment Lesson?
Not only can you to visit our school, meet our staff and try our
training vehicles, you also have the opportunity to talk to our
instructors. A driving assessment takes the guesswork out of
trying to pass first time. You will know the exact number of training
hours you need to learn the skills and competences required to reach
the Test Standard. A ‘one-size fits all 5 day course’ does not
suit everyone. Drivers who follow our Instructor’s Ideal
Recommendations consistently achieve higher than the national average
pass rate.
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- Do you have a dedicated fleet of
specialist training vehicles?
Specially selected for learners, our vehicles are bought mostly from
new. They are regularly maintained and services at approved services
centres.
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- Do instructors keep a daily written report
on my driving progress?
Without a systematic approach to training all subjects may not be
covered. Something missed would result in a failure. Our instructors
deliver all the lessons you need to pass, in logical progression,
without unnecessary duplications and time wasting. The time,
duration and content of your lessons are recorded on your Progress
Report and you will be invited to sign for each lesson to ensure
your complete satisfaction.
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- What assurances to I have that I will
receive proper and correct training?
We are an ITTSAR accredited training centre. All our instructors are
qualified. Our School, vehicles and facilities are inspected
annually to ensure we continue to provide high quality training.
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- Is the school easily accessible?
Our training centres are near main arterial roads, with free parking
and many are close to public transport connections.
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- Is there an advantage to shared or
individual training?
Individual training, just you and your instructor in the training
vehicle, allows you to develop your skills at the most effective
rate and you are able to make the best use of your available
time.Shared training can be less effective if you are held back by a
basic driver.
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