MOT goes paperless for emissions test passes

Motorists whose vehicle passes its MOT will no longer receive a paper emissions record – but they will be retained for MOT test failures.

Service technician advising a motorist

Motorists whose vehicle passes its annual MOT test will no longer be given a paper copy of their emissions test.

The change comes into effect from 11 January 2021 and is part of efforts by the DVSA to reduce the use of paper in the MOT.

However, motorists whose vehicle fails the test will still be issued with a paper emissions record.

What’s more, motorists whose vehicle passes the test can still request a printed copy of the emissions record.

MOT testing garages must retain all emissions records for three months, and be able to produce them to motorists or officials if requested.

Test can be stored digitally

They don’t need to be stored as paper records though, provided the emissions testing machine is able to store digital records.

Testing stations have been warned that ‘failure to produce an emissions record when requested may result in disciplinary action being taken’.

The paperless MOT-pass emissions record move follows feedback from the trade, as well as a drive to go green, says the DVSA.

MOT test centres have also been granted an extension to the annual training year, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

They now have until 30 April 2021 to complete this year’s annual training and assessment.

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Richard Aucock
Richard Aucockhttps://www.richardaucock.co.uk/
Richard is director at Motoring Research. He has been with us since 2001, and has been a motoring journalist even longer. He won the IMCO Motoring Writer of the Future Award in 1996 and the acclaimed Sir William Lyons Award in 1998. Both awards are run by the Guild of Motoring Writers and Richard is currently vice chair of the world's largest organisation for automotive media professionals. Richard is also a juror and Steering Committee director for World Car Awards and the UK juror for the AUTOBEST awards.

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