Since their last update, the DVSA team have been working on the feedback you’ve given them, following the changes that were made to the MOT in May 2018. Your feedback is really useful in helping them identify where there might be issues and how they can make the service even better for you.
Read a summary of the DVSA’s blog below outlining the updates they are currently working on.
The full blog is available online: https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/mot-services-were-working-on-10-september-2018/
Improving security
DVSA is looking at ways to improve how security cards work, to make the system more secure and easier to use.
This includes:
- making their password policy stronger
- making their recovery security question and answers harder to guess
- reducing the number of times you’ll need to enter your security card PIN each day
- increasing thier proactive monitoring of suspicious activities, to prevent fraudulent use of the security cards
- switching off the ability for your browser to autofill your password and user ID
Making your passwords stronger
DVSA is looking at how they can make sure the passwords you’re choosing are stronger by banning very common and easy to guess passwords. They’ll be introducing a maximum of 7 days that you can be without a card and log in with security questions. After 7 days, you will need to use your security card.
Another thing they're doing is looking into ways to securely reduce the number of times you need to enter your PIN. They are working on a solution so that you will only need to log in with your security card once a day.
They are aiming to make most the changes live by 3 and 4 October.
Garage risk ratings
Something else they have been working on recently is garage risk ratings. They have nearly completed this work now, so, from later in the autumn if you have a site assessment, the way it’s carried out will be different.
How the new assessment will work
DVSA will be focusing more on compliance and the test itself so their examiners will be carrying out more checks on recently tested vehicles. They’ll also be doing a shorter check on systems and processes in the garage, which will be called a site review.
The purpose of the site review is to ensure the vehicle testing station is following principles that promote good quality testing, they will focus on 4 areas:
- basic compliance
- management control & quality control
- premises and equipment
- people's training and their skills
Each area will be then marked as either:
- satisfactory
- improvement needed
- unsatisfactory
The site review outcome will combine the result of the vehicle re-inspection (if carried out), previous disciplinary history of the testers and the authorised examiner and data captured from the testing service. This will then be displayed on the MOT testing service as a rating of red, amber or green. You’ll be able to view the outcome of the site review of the testing service and see the areas where improvement might be needed.
Risk ratings for testers
As part of this work, they’re also looking at risk rating testers, using data from the testing service and disciplinary history. Testers will be able to see their rating in their profile. The testers rating is personal to them and will not be displayed to site managers or authorised examiner (AE). However, some AEs may choose to ask prospective employees to share it.
Making the manual clearer
There are also minor changes to some of the wording in the manual to make it clearer.
For example, previously, when testing the horn on a vehicle, you would need to choose the reason why it failed. They have now consolidated the reasons to make it clearer. So you’ll only need to choose the option that the ‘horn no longer meets requirements’.
More defect descriptions
From 13 September 2018, DVSA will be introducing some more defect descriptions. These include:
- corroded brake hose ferrules including flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- tyre valves seriously damaged or misaligned
- headlamp alignment
- shock absorbers bushes that excessively worn
- suspension arms, rods, linkage that have ‘excessive wear or free play in suspension component’
- transmissions for motorcycles - excessively tight transmission belt or chain
This won’t be a significant change to the test and should include most of the feedback you’ve given them since the changes in May.
