How do I book an MOT/Vehicle Test Appointment?

You can apply for a vehicle test online, by telephone, in person or by post. To avoid a test certificate expiring before your next vehicle test is scheduled, you should book your test as soon as you receive your reminder letter, which is sent seven weeks before your certificate expires.

Book your MOT test

How to use the online service

You can select a test centre, and the date and time of your test. You can also check or change your appointment details, or cancel the test if your circumstances change.

Data Protection

Please read the Data Protection Act 1998 - Fair Processing Notice for the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).

Data Protection Act 1998 - Fair Processing Notice

Selection of dates and times

Booking an MOT well in advance will ensure that you have a wider range of dates and times to choose from. However, waiting times vary between centres and it is often the case that tests can be secured more quickly at another centre.

Tell DVA when booking which dates suit you and it will try to accommodate you. It may be possible to give you a cancellation or short notice appointment.

You can check what dates are available by contacting the telephone booking line on

Telephone: 0845 247 2471

Booking an MOT test

When booking a vehicle test you’ll need:

the vehicle registration number
the last four digits of the chassis number
if using the online or telephone service, a debit or credit card

If you use the online or telephone service, you can receive your appointment notice by email.

For heavy goods vehicles, trailers and buses, you’ll be provided with a booking reference number. You will then have to contact your selected test centre to obtain your test date and time. Appointment notices will be issued when the booking has been confirmed with the test centre.

Applying online

You can normally book, cancel or change a vehicle test online 24 hours a day, every day. However, during periods of system maintenance, the service may be unavailable for short periods of time.

Applying by telephone

You can book by calling from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm on Friday. Calls are recorded for quality assurance purposes.

the telephone booking line number is 0845 247 2471

Applying in person

You can apply in person by completing an application form and returning it to one of the test centres which are open from 8.45 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.15 pm to 4.00 pm from Monday to Friday, except for the Belfast centre which is open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Applying by post

You will need to complete an application form and send it with the appropriate fee to the vehicle test centre where you would like the test conducted.

Application forms are available to download from the MOT section of Motoring forms.

How quickly can I get a test appointment?

Booking an MOT as early as possible will ensure you have a wider range of dates and times to choose from. Vehicles can be tested up to 28 days before the expiry of the current test certificate without affecting the expiry date for the following year.

Waiting times vary between centres and it is often the case that tests can be secured more quickly at an alternative centre. Tell DVA when booking which dates suit you and they will try to accommodate you as far as possible. It may be possible to give you a cancellation or short notice appointment.

You can check what dates are available by contacting the telephone booking line on:

Telephone: 0845 247 2471

Cheque payments for appointments that fall within a 10 day cheque clearance time cannot be accepted. These appointments can be paid by credit or debit card or by cash. Payment by cheque is acceptable for appointments that fall outside the 10 day clearance time.

Can I cancel my test appointment?

Yes, provided you give one clear day's notice which does not include the date you contact DVA or the date of the test. These clear days do not include Saturdays, Sundays and public or bank holidays.

For example, if you want to cancel an appointment for Tuesday you must tell DVA by the previous Friday. Your appointment notice will advise you of the last day you can cancel your appointment. Your fee will only be refunded if you give enough notice of the cancellation.

You can cancel most appointments online provided you have the booking reference issued to you at the time of booking or by calling at any of the DVA test centres or by phoning the booking line on:

Telephone: 0845 247 2471

Alternatively you can complete the relevant details on your appointment notice and post it to any of the DVA test centres, allowing enough time for it to reach the test centre.

What happens if I fail to attend for the test?

If you do not cancel your appointment and you fail to attend for your test, you will lose your fee. You will then have to pay the full fee for another appointment.