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If you’ve been following the DVSA’s recent announcements about heavy vehicle testing, you might be wondering what’s genuinely new and what you should have known about already. A recent comment on the official Moving On blog highlighted something important: some of these “new” features have actually been available for years, but many operators simply didn’t know about them.
Let’s cut through the confusion and focus on what really matters for your operation.
Here’s something that might surprise you and possibly frustrate you. Plating certificates have been available to view and download for free through the MOT history website since at least 2024, possibly earlier. Yet the DVSA has only just started actively promoting this service.
The result? Many operators have been unnecessarily paying for plating certificate requests through the old TAS system for years, simply because they didn’t know there was a free alternative.
If you’ve been paying for plating certificates recently, you’re not alone. The lack of communication around this existing service means countless operators have been spending money they didn’t need to spend. Now that the DVSA is finally promoting this free service, it’s worth bookmarking the MOT history checker and spreading the word amongst your fellow operators.
The good news? You’ll never need to pay for a plating certificate again. The service is available 24/7, accessible from anywhere, and there’s no waiting for the post. Lost or damaged certificate? Download a new one instantly.
Beyond the certificate revelation, there are some genuinely new developments worth noting:
Modern HGVs increasingly come equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, everything from lane departure warnings to automatic emergency braking. DVSA assessors are now conducting visual checks on these systems during inspections.
The impact on you is minimal at this stage. Assessors are simply checking that sensors and cameras aren’t damaged, obstructed, or showing warning lights. It’s not part of the annual test yet, but the DVSA is gathering data to inform future testing requirements.
What you need to do: Make sure drivers report any ADAS warning lights immediately, and include sensor and camera checks in their daily walkaround inspections. A bit of mud or grime blocking a sensor could flag up during testing. If your drivers need refresher training on proper vehicle checks, our Driver CPC courses cover these essential daily inspection procedures.
If you operate passenger service vehicles, you’ll notice assessors using a new tool for testing door resistance. Previously, assessors had to use their hands, which carried a small but real risk of injury.
The new tool provides consistent, safe testing across all sites. According to the DVSA, 87% of assessors prefer it. For operators, it means more standardised testing and potentially fewer inconsistencies between test centres.
PG10s are now being emailed directly to the operator whose email address is linked to the vehicle on the Vehicle Operator Licensing (VOL) system.
Critical action required: Check that your email address is current on the VOL system. An outdated email means you won’t receive prohibition clearance notices promptly, which could leave vehicles unnecessarily off the road or, worse, result in you not knowing about an active prohibition.
If you’re unsure about your VOL system details or need help ensuring your operator licence compliance is up to scratch, it’s worth getting this checked as part of a broader compliance review.
The plating certificate situation highlights a broader problem. The DVSA is doing good work modernising its systems and making services more accessible, but if operators don’t know about these improvements, they might as well not exist.
How many other free or improved services are already available that you haven’t heard about? How much time and money could you have saved if these updates had been properly communicated?
The frustration is understandable. When government agencies digitise services to improve efficiency and accessibility, those benefits only materialise if operators know the services exist. Paying for something that’s been free for years isn’t a user error – it’s a communication failure.
This is exactly why many operators choose to work with compliance specialists who stay on top of regulatory changes and can advise on the most efficient ways to meet requirements. A good transport compliance audit will identify areas where you might be working harder (or spending more) than necessary.
These changes represent the DVSA’s ongoing shift towards digital services, and that’s genuinely positive. Digital delivery means faster access, no postal delays, and 24/7 availability. The technology improvements are welcome.
What needs to improve is the communication around these changes. Operators shouldn’t have to stumble across important information in blog comments or discover years later that they’ve been paying for something unnecessarily.
That said, now you know. And knowing means you can save time, save money, and keep your operations running more efficiently. Sometimes that’s all you can ask for.
Need help with transport compliance? At Lloyd Morgan Group, we help operators navigate the complex world of HGV compliance, testing requirements, and regulatory changes. Our transport compliance audits ensure you’re not just meeting requirements, but doing so efficiently and cost-effectively. We also offer Transport Manager CPC training, Driver CPC courses, and IRTEC vehicle inspector training to keep your operation compliant and your team up to date. Get in touch to discuss how we can support your operation.
Email us at:
info@lloydmorgangroup.co.uk
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Lloyd Morgan Group Ltd
Phoenix House,
Hemlock Park,
Hyssop Close,
Cannock.
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