News 6 www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026 Agroup of the UK’s leading MOT training organisations has formed a new, independent industry body to help improve tester training. The new MOT Training Providers Association (MTPA) said it will work with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on improving and standardising MOT tester training across the country. Founding members of the association include MOT Juice, The Test Centre, MOT Learning Services, Protech Academy, VOCS, MOT Group. Other respected providers are expected to join imminently, MTPA said. The formation of MTPA follows talks between the association’s founder, Barry Babister of MOT Juice, and the DVSA. He said both sides recognised the need for clearer, more detailed and more consistent training guidance for the MOT industry. ‘Maintain credibility’ Every year, DVSA issues an annual MOT training curriculum that all MOT testers must complete. Historically, the wording of this curriculum has been intentionally broad, leading to varying interpretations among training providers, MTPA said. As a result, testers completing their mandatory training have not always been up-skilled on the same topics or to the same depth. MTPA chair Babister said: “For the industry to maintain credibility and safety standards, MOT testers must receive consistent, accurate training. MTPA will work with DVSA to help shape clearer annual curriculum guidance so that every training provider teaches the same material to the same standard. “This collaboration benefits everyone – training providers, MOT testers, and ultimately the motorists who rely on the MOT system.” According to MTPA, the MOT industry remains one of the most heavily regulated in the UK. There are around 24,000 testing stations nationwide, supported by about 80,000 MOT testers. Each year, 4,000-5,000 new candidates train to become authorised MOT testers and about 5,000 testers leave the industry or allow their authorisation to lapse. Compliance In addition, regulatory discussions suggest that authorised examiners and all those responsible for managing MOT testing operations may soon be required to complete annual MOT compliance training and pass an associated assessment. MTPA said, if confirmed, this would represent one of the most significant changes to MOT training in a decade. The association said it will act as an industry forum to ensure training providers can prepare for these changes in a consistent and structured way. MTPA will meet annually with DVSA to discuss a range of issues, including reviewing the upcoming year’s MOT training curriculum. The first formal DVSA-MTPA curriculum review meeting is scheduled for later this year. Visit https://mtpa. co.uk/ for details about the association. New MOT body to boost testing training standards
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