DVSA axes MOT paperwork as it moves 'online only'
The DVSA has digitalised MOT test pass certificates, before an anticipated switch to digital for driving licences as well
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MOT test certificates are now online
The UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched digital MOT test pass certificates in order to boost efficiency and cut waste.
The shift from physical paper documents to digital equivalents is intended to reduce materials usage, speed up administration processes and reduce costs, enabling motorists to use their smartphones or the wallet app, as many of us already do to make card payments.
This news comes only a couple of years after plans for this and digital driving licences were announced.
Why are MOT test certificates digitalised?
Between March 2022 and 2023, the DVSA says 34.5 million MOTs were carried out across the UK.
This means that if every single A4 test certificate was laid out, they'd stretch for 4,500 miles end-to-end – the equivalent of 295 Wembley stadiums or 4,000 trees worth of paper.
Chris Price, head of MOT policy at the DVSA, said: “We’re now giving you the flexibility to not issue a paper fail certificate if the customer is able and willing to view the vehicle’s MOT record and history online.
“If the customer would prefer to look at this information online using the MOT history service, that’s fine. We want them to be able to choose what works best for them.”
Digital driving licences promised 'in 2024'
Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, is in full support of the changes, which will also see the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) develop an app to display virtual licences by, we’re promised, 2024.
While the agency hasn’t stated any further plans, it’s likely the digitalised provisional licences will one day be followed by digitalised full driving licences, although reports suggest a plastic licence will remain valid even once this happens.
On that note, this isn’t the first time the DVLA has embraced digital technology, with the UK agency having scrapped paper tax discs and the paper part of the driving licence for online equivalents in the last decade.
Few will have complained about those moves because it’s simplified the payment process, eliminating the need for posted cheques or post office visits to tax a car.
Expect plenty to find the same switch for MOT tests to be equally as handy.
We’re all for the simplification of processes through online tools at cinch, because as you may have noted, we’re the faff-free way to buy cars online.
With the DVLA’s new plans, it means you’ll soon be able to arrange driving tests and receive your licence on a smartphone before you go forth and find a car on our site. Talk about plain sailing.