DVSA Strike Impact on Vehicle Testing

Understanding the DVSA Staff Strike and its Impact on Your Vehicle Tests

In June 2023, a series of planned strike actions by members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which includes some staff from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), have the potential to disrupt various vehicle testing services across Great Britain. This industrial action is part of a wider dispute concerning pay, pensions, jobs, and redundancy terms. It's crucial for vehicle owners, operators, and MOT testers to understand which services might be affected, when, and what steps to take if their appointments are impacted. While some services are expected to proceed as normal, others may face cancellations or rescheduling.

Which DVSA Staff Are Involved?

The strike action primarily involves DVSA staff who are members of the PCS union. These individuals include:

• Vehicle standards assessors
• Specialist vehicle standards assessors
• Traffic examiners
• Vehicle examiners

It is important to note that not all DVSA staff are members of the PCS union, and even those who are may choose not to participate in the strike. Therefore, the actual impact on services can vary.

When and Where Will the Strikes Take Place?

The strikes are scheduled to affect different regions of Great Britain on specific dates:

Impact on MOTs for Cars, Vans, and Motorcycles

Good news for owners of cars, vans, and motorcycles: MOTs for these vehicle types are not expected to be affected by the strike action. These tests will proceed as planned, ensuring that vehicle safety and roadworthiness checks continue without interruption for the majority of road users.

Services for MOT Testers

If you are an MOT tester and have a vehicle identification number (VIN) demonstration test booked during the strike period, you should attend your appointment as scheduled unless you are specifically contacted by the DVSA to advise otherwise. While some examiners might be on strike, many will still be available to conduct these tests. If your demonstration test cannot go ahead due to strike action, the DVSA will automatically rearrange it for you. It’s always advisable to check for any direct communication from the DVSA regarding your specific appointment.

MOTs for HGVs, Buses, and Trailers

For owners and operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), buses, and trailers, the advice is to attend your vehicle test appointments as planned. The DVSA does not anticipate that the strike action will significantly impact MOTs for these larger commercial vehicles. However, as with other services, the exact impact will only be fully known once the strike action is underway. The availability of vehicle examiners is not guaranteed to be entirely depleted, as not all examiners are PCS union members or may opt not to strike.

What to Do If Your MOT Cannot Go Ahead

In the event that your MOT test for an HGV, bus, or trailer cannot proceed due to the strike, you will be responsible for booking a new appointment with an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF). It is recommended to find an alternative ATF promptly to minimise any disruption to your operations.

Reporting Issues with Rebooking: If you are unable to book a new test and both of the following conditions apply, you should report this to the DVSA:

• You have contacted your local test centres and have been unable to secure a new test appointment.
• Your current MOT expires this month or has already expired.

Reporting these circumstances can help the DVSA track and potentially address widespread booking difficulties.

Guidance for Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs)

If you manage an ATF, and a vehicle standards assessor is scheduled to attend your site but has not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, you should contact your network business manager for guidance and to report the absence.

Vehicle Approval Tests

Similar to other tests, you should proceed to your vehicle approval test appointment as scheduled unless the DVSA informs you otherwise. The DVSA will automatically rebook your vehicle approval test if it needs to be cancelled due to the strike action. As with vehicle examiners, not all specialist vehicle standards assessors are PCS union members, meaning that many may still be available to conduct these crucial approval tests.

Summary of Affected Services and Recommendations

To summarise, the key takeaways are:

• Cars, Vans, Motorcycles MOTs: Unaffected.
• MOT Testers' Demonstration Tests: Attend as planned; DVSA will rebook if necessary.
• HGVs, Buses, Trailers MOTs: Attend as planned; DVSA anticipates minimal disruption but advises rebooking if cancelled.
• Vehicle Approval Tests: Attend as planned; DVSA will rebook if necessary.

It is always prudent to check official DVSA communications for the most up-to-date information regarding any potential disruptions to your specific test appointment. While strikes can cause inconvenience, the DVSA is working to minimise the impact on essential services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Will my car's MOT be cancelled due to the DVSA strike?
No, MOTs for cars, vans, and motorcycles are not expected to be affected by the strike action and will proceed as planned.

Q2: What should I do if my HGV MOT appointment is cancelled?
If your HGV MOT cannot go ahead, you will need to book a new appointment with an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF).

Q3: Are all DVSA staff going on strike?
No, only some DVSA staff who are members of the PCS union are planning to take strike action. Not all staff are members, and not all members will participate.

Q4: What if my MOT demonstration test for testers is cancelled?
If your MOT demonstration test cannot go ahead due to the strike, the DVSA will automatically rebook the appointment for you.

Q5: Which parts of England are unaffected by the strike action?
While specific dates and regions are listed, the strike action affects different parts of Great Britain at different times. MOTs for cars, vans, and motorcycles are generally unaffected nationwide. For HGVs, buses, and trailers, the DVSA does not expect the strike action to affect MOTs, but this is subject to the actual turnout on the day.

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