Over the last few months, we’ve sent out information on some of the changes coming into the heavy vehicle testing process.
In this blog, we'll summarise the implementation plans for the most recent changes to testing:
- 2 February 2026 – Advance Driver and Assistance Systems (ADAS) visual checks began
- 5 January 2026 – new Public Service Vehicle (PSV) door safety testing tool introduced
- 2 February 2026 – PG10 prohibition clearance notices move to email
- 13 February 2026- plating certificates
The rise in use of ADAS
The number of vehicles with ADAS features has risen significantly over recent years, playing an important role in helping to keep people safe.
As ADAS is becoming standard in new vehicles, we have now begun testing these systems.
This doesn't have a significant impact on the overall test for the customer. The assessors are conducting visual checks on ADAS only during this stage and it is currently not part of the annual test.
The visual inspections:
- check sensors and cameras for security, damage, obstructions, and in some cases, operation
- check for ADAS-related malfunction indicator lamps (MILs)
Looking at the condition and function of these systems will also help us gather better information to make more informed decisions about gathering information on these systems as part of the annual test, in the future.
New tool for PSV door safety testing
We've introduced a new tool for testing door resistance on passenger service vehicles.
When testing, there's a small risk of injury as the door closes, so this new tool helps keep our colleagues safe and removes the risk of any assessors being injured.
The new PSV door tool allows assessors to safely and consistently test door resistance.
We know that improving vehicle safety shouldn't be an afterthought, which is why we keep our processes under constant review.
Some of you may have already seen our assessors using the new tool.
Based on feedback, the new tool was preferred by 87% of assessors because it 'ensured a safer and more consistent approach' at all test sites.
PG10 prohibition clearance notices moving to email
As you know, DVSA has been moving many of its services online to make access easier for our customers. The latest process is digitising the PG10 form.
An email will be sent directly to the operator whose email address is linked to the vehicle on the Vehicle Operator Licensing (VOL) system.
We continue to transition our services to more digital platforms, to make it easier and faster for us to provide the best service for everyone.
Make sure your email address is up to date on the VOL system so you can receive your PG10 promptly and prevent it getting lost.
Plating certificates
An essential part of being a responsible HGV operator is keeping on top of important paperwork.
We've already been sending first and replacement plating certificates for heavy goods vehicles by email. Now, we're taking things a step further – you'll soon be able to download and print your own certificates whenever you need them, for free.
This means:
- no more waiting for the post – you can access your certificate as soon as you need it
- no more fees – viewing and downloading your certificate is completely free
- access anytime, anywhere – whether you're in the office, at a depot, or on the road
You'll be able to get your certificates through our MOT history service on GOV.UK. It will be useful if you've lost a certificate or if it's been damaged.
Positive steps
It's important to us that we provide operators and customers with efficient and easily accessible services, and we appreciate your continued support as we introduce new changes.
We're confident that these changes will help improve the service we offer our customers, helping keep Britain's roads some of the safest in the world.
We appreciate any feedback that you have for us, so please leave us a comment with any questions.
12 comments
Comment by Jason Lennox posted on
When I enter some registration numbers it says unavailable at moment try again later. In several cases I’ve emailed test errors with the reg and they have emailed me a test certificate to print off which is great, but this should not happen in the first place.
Comment by Danny Charles (DVSA) posted on
Hello Jason,
Thanks for your feedback, and sorry you’ve experienced this.
In most cases, the MOT test data is present in the system as expected. However, on some occasions the MOT Test Certificate may not be immediately available for download. DVSA are aware of this issue, and the current workaround is to request the certificate directly by emailing MYVT@dvsa.gov.uk.
We understand this isn’t the experience you should expect, and we’re actively working on a fix to ensure certificates are consistently available and the process is smoother for all our users.
Thanks again for raising it — your feedback helps us improve the service.
Comment by Ron Manser posted on
I get this quite often, it seems to happen the most with vehicles that are on a private plate. I email test errors and they say the vehicles registered under its old registration on the system, and the operator needs to apply for a notifiable alteration, which the operator told me they did, but months later it still doesn't work for that vehicle.
This is most frustrating as I can't check all vehicles we work on, and also means I can't download the plating certificate as it asks for the V5 serial number.
Comment by Danny Charles (DVSA) posted on
Hello Ron,
Thanks for your comment.
If the MOT or plating certificates are not available for your vehicle, my advice is to first check the guidance on GOV.UK, as this covers the steps operators need to take when registration changes or notifiable alterations are involved.
If you still experience issues after following that guidance, please email DVSA at MYVT@dvsa.gov.uk and the team will be able to support you further.
Just to clarify, MOT or plating certificates for heavy vehicles do not require you to input the V5C number for validation, so you should be able to download these once the vehicle details are correctly recorded on the system.
We appreciate you raising this — improving the reliability of certificate availability is something we’re actively working on.
Comment by Ron posted on
We're not the operator so have no control over what they do, we can only advise, which I know with one registration they did do, but its still not showing up correctly all these months later.
The Mot system knows the make of the vehicle, it also knows the registration of the vehicle, so why can't it use the VIN number to look up the Mot certificates and the plating certificate.
Surely if a registrations been changed then the plating certificate should also be automictically updated, and I new one issued online, along with the Mot history
This should not rely on customers to update stuff (they've already done the registration transfer), it should all be done in the back ground, and sounds like a short coming in the back end systems that you are hopefully addressing.
Comment by Danny Charles (DVSA) posted on
Thanks, Ron.
DVSA are working with DVLA to improve how cherished transfer information is shared for heavy vehicles. Once this is in place, the completion of a cherished transfer will automatically trigger updates to DVSA records, including those needed for MOT and plating certificates.
We’ll keep users informed as this work progresses, and this should significantly reduce the burden on vehicle owners and operators.
Comment by Bill Street posted on
How can I access the VTG plates for 2 new vehicles. The dealer says they should be in MOT history but they are not?
Comment by Pam Meisel posted on
there's a new link under download MOT Cert history to download plates. it used to be buried in the MOT history link, but not any more.
Comment by Danny Charles (DVSA) posted on
Hello Bill, thanks for your comment.
If the plates for your new vehicles aren’t appearing in MOT history yet, there’s guidance to help you check what should be available and what to do next.
You can find the full details on ministry plates and plating certificates, including how to access them and who to contact if they’re missing, in our GOV.UK guidance here:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hgv-and-trailer-ministry-plates-and-plating-certificates/hgv-and-trailer-ministry-plates-and-plating-certificates
This should give you everything you need to get the plates sorted quickly.
Comment by Tom posted on
Plating certificates on the MOT History website have been available since at least 2024 possibly earlier, so what on earth are you talking about making out this is a new feature? Or that it will be available soon, this work was complete years ago.
You do great work implementing these more efficient systems, but not publicising them has allowed people to still submit requests for plating certificates through the old TAS system and be charged for it for several years, which is not fair.
Comment by Danny Charles (DVSA) posted on
Hello Tom and thanks for you comment.
We’ve made it easier than ever for operators to access their plating certificates. Although the feature has been available quietly for some time, plating certificates were soft‑launched in 2025 on the MOT History service while we improved data quality in the background.
At launch, we updated the GOV.UK guidance to direct users to the free online service where certificates can be downloaded and printed at any time.
We’re now actively promoting the service through the Moving On blog to make sure everyone knows they no longer need to request replacement certificates from DVSA — and can avoid unnecessary charges by using the free digital option instead.
Comment by Ron Manser posted on
I've been downloading them since 2024, most useful.