Agency moves to maintain lower MOT waiting times over summer

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) has taken a number of steps to ensure MOT test waiting times remain at an acceptable level this summer.

Additional vehicle examiners have been recruited and temporary staff will also be deployed to ensure there is sufficient staff to cope with what is traditionally a period of sustained high demand during the peak holiday period.

DVA Group Director Bernie Rooney said: “I am optimistic there will not be the delays for MOT tests during the summer months some customers experienced last year.

“Since July 2008, the Agency has recruited and trained a large number of additional vehicle examiners and plans are in place to increase numbers further by June.

“In addition, temporary staff will be recruited and trained before the start of the summer and will provide cover for permanent staff off on holidays.”

Mrs Rooney urged members of the public to book their MOT tests promptly.

She added: “It is important that motorists know they can have their cars tested up to 28 days before the expiry of their current MOT without affecting the expiry date for the following year.

“The Agency would advise customers to book their MOT promptly on receipt of the reminder letter, issued seven weeks before the due date, to be sure of securing a suitable appointment before the expiry date of the current certificate.”

Mrs Rooney acknowledged there were circumstances where people forget to book early or where people have just bought a car and need an urgent appointment.

She concluded: “Even in these cases, we would expect most people to be able to get a test appointment within a reasonable time, especially if they are willing to travel to a test centre outside of their local area”.

Notes To Editors:

1. The Agency’s 2008/09 ministerial target for vehicle testing was “85% of all applications appointed within 21 days or on request at a later date”. At year ending 31 March 2009 performance against the target was 93.80% and the average waiting time was 13 days.

2. 16 casual vehicle examiners will be recruited through a recruitment agency, eight from 20 April and eight from 12 May, to provide cover for staff absent on holidays during the summer months.

3. A revised and improved test centre resource planning tool has been developed which takes account of predicted test demand and the necessary staff levels needed to deliver vehicle testing within the waiting time target.

4. The allocation for overtime working has been increased from April to enable test centres to reduce the workload ahead of the holiday period.

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