The DVSA released a new blog titled ‘Manage your MOT Centre’ on 8th July. It explains everything a VTS needs to have in place to make sure testing is carried out to the appropriate standard.
The part that most will pay attention to is that your garage or yourself can receive penalties for failing to meet the required standards. We want to help Managers stop thinking about what they can do to not get a penalty, but instead how they can stay compliant to a high standard and make it a clear routine of what they need to do.
We have developed a Quality Management service to help MOT Stations stay up to date with the latest information, receive training, and set them up to effectively quality control their VTS. In this blog we will look at the important 15 points DVSA have laid out for managing a station and explain how you can do that.
Put Management Systems in Place
- Have a clear, simple and effective process.
- Keep your business information up to date.
- Follow data protection rules
- Make sure that site managers have the authority to run an MOT centre effectively
For these points, you need to make sure your testers understand what you want them to do, show that your MOT station complies with testing standards and how you manage the centre and your testers. With MOT Quality Management, the online system manages everything in a simple online system. Take a look at the video below. Part of our package is that when you sign up we will check all of your business information and help with changes you need to make with the DVSA. On our audit we check that your security and data protection policies are in place, and carry out a full induction with your site managers.
Check and Manage MOT Test Standards
- Have clear MOT test policies in place
- Use MOT test quality information to monitor standards
- Check samples of MOT done by your testers
Having the correct policies and procedures in place will help reduce the risk of MOT tests not meeting the required standard. You need to have a policy to deal with problems of testing standards and helping to support and improve your testers training. The documents section of the MOTQM system already includes policies for you to use within your garage. TQI should be used to monitor each of your testers standards, as you will be able to see data form the tests they have carried out. We will show you how to analyse the test logs and TQI and identify patterns across tests. With our full package we will also do a monthly check of your Test logs and TQI and write a report for you if there are any identifiable issues. We will give you routines and teach you how to check your Tester’s MOT routines. DVSA states these checks should be done on each tester every 2 months.
Manage your MOT Testers
- Check new staff are eligible and meet standards
- Make sure testers do their training and assessments
- Carry out security checks to make sure testers are following security rules
You need to check that anyone you employ is qualified for the job and knows the training they need to complete. You should supervise some of their tests to make sure they are trained to do it correctly. Check existing testers are up to date with their annual training, are active on the MTS and hold a valid driving licence for the vehicle they are testing. There should be records kept of each testers’ training and assessments. You should regularly carry out security checks to make sure your testers have a working security card. Also that they have not written their password anywhere and sign out of the MTS when they are finished. With our help, you will receive the right training to check and manage your testers, carry out inductions for all employed at the VTS, and we will make sure there is no breakdown of security. Also Each tester will receive their Annual Training for free and get online support if they have any questions.
Monitor and Maintain your premises and Equipment
- Record information about your equipment
- Keep your site safe, clean and meeting standards
- Apply to make changes to your site and equipment when needed
You need to record everything about your equipment calibration: certificates, times it needs calibrating, repairs, maintenance dates, and the process if something fails. Make sure you have a written health and safety policy and meet the health and safety requirements. If you need to make physical changes to your site, you must apply to the DVSA. MOTQM will give you calibration and maintenance reminders for all of your equipment and keep a log of all the information. All of our consultants have been trained to make sure that our site audits meet the same criteria as laid out by DVSA. If you need to make any changes, we will complete any VT01 paperwork with you to ensure it is an easy process.
Understand your MOT Centre’s Risk Rating
- Monitor your risk ratings in the MOT testing service
- Fix any problems picked up at DVSA site reviews
Both your garage and each of your testers have their own individual risk rating. You need to check your ratings and look into whether changes need to be made. This needs reviewed regularly as ratings can change quickly. Read our previous post here on how Risk Ratings are calculated. At a DVSA site review, an examiner will check that all centre details are correct, your premise and equipment meet the rules, look at your management and quality control process, and look at your staff’s test standards. Any issues need to be fixed as soon as possible. Part of our consultancy is that we will audit your site and assist with any changes to risk ratings. Implementing our system will help you avoid getting any unsatisfactory or improvement needed areas. If it does happen we will make sure you get back to satisfactory.
If you have any questions or want any more information surrounding our consultancy services please give as a call 0345 459 0231, or contact us here.
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