Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase (1) the flexibility of working practices, and (2) the capacity, of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency testing within the road haulage sector to increase efficiency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) services the industry through the provision of vehicle testing, known as the MOT. To ensure demand is met, and provide flexibility, the DVSA continues to increase the number of testing staff, open new Authorised Test Facilities, and improve its processes and systems.

In 2021, the Department for Transport conducted a review of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) testing. The review, which was published the same year, concluded HGV testing should continue to be delivered as is, which provides independent assurance to ensure vehicles are maintained correctly, and safety is not compromised. There are no current plans to change the way HGVs are tested.

The DVSA estimates that at any time there could be around one in twenty of British HGVs operating on Great Britain’s roads that are operating without a valid MOT. The DVSA takes this matter very seriously, and targets its on-road enforcement towards such vehicles. Any vehicle found not to have a valid MOT is referred to the Traffic Commissioners, who have the powers to take action against the license of the vehicle operator.