The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a major change to MOT tests ahead of the winter with road users likely to notice the new rules.
Officials have moved a step closer to paperless certificates with garages now given the flexibility to issue failure notes digitally.
Paper certificates can still be issued to customers in complex cases to make it clear what is needed to fix a vehicle.
However, garages can now issue online-only receipts if customers are “able and willing” to use their phones or computers.
The DVSA said the move to digital certificates will save MOT testing businesses money by using less paper or printer ink.
They also admitted the move would be better for the enforcement and reflect how customers were generally already using the service.
Back in January 2021, the DVSA made it optional to issue a paper record of the emissions test check.
Then in September 2021, garages were allowed to issue online certificates for vehicles which passed the test However, garages still had to print paper certificates for any model which failed the annual check.
The policy has since been reviewed with the DVSA admitting it was “time to start going further”.
The DVSA explained: “The easiest thing to do is to ask your customers whether they want a paper copy of their MOT certificate or if they’re happy viewing it online when they drop their vehicle off. They’ll then know what to expect when they collect it.
“In some cases, if the vehicle does not have any advisories or if there are minor advisories, it makes more sense to suggest the customer views this information online.
“We know many MOT centres are sending more and more paperwork to customers by email to help lower printing costs, so this could be something you’d like to consider if customers want a copy of their certificate.
“We understand that there will always be customers who want a paper copy of their certificate to drive away with, so we’re not going to stop you from being able to print certificates. But it’s important we make small changes where we can.”
The DVSA said the move will help “bring the service in line” with similar systems across the world.
Officials admitted they were “confident” that the change would cause “little to no disruption” to motorists and businesses.
In the long run, they feel the changes will actually help save individuals “money and time”.
