Thank you for your support to keep vehicle testing running safely since the restart of testing in July 2020.

As coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in Great Britain ease, we want to remind our customers about the importance of continuing to follow government guidance to stop the spread of COVID-19 when you or your presenters bring vehicles in for test.

This includes wearing face coverings unless exempt, maintaining social distancing where possible and practicing good hand hygiene.

We also want to remind all vehicle operators about the importance of vehicle cleanliness and ventilation when presenting vehicles for annual test.

Because vehicle testers have to get into the cab as part of the inspection, wiping down the interior of the vehicle beforehand is really important to help stop the spread of the virus.

Free rapid lateral flow tests for you and your staff

To help keep you, ATF staff and our Vehicle Standards Assessors (VSAs) safe, it is really important that everyone takes regular rapid lateral flow tests (every 3 or 4 days).

We are encouraging all our VSAs to regularly take rapid lateral flow tests too, so together we can help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Anyone who does not have symptoms can now get regular rapid lateral flow tests to check for COVID-19. Find more details about how to get them in England, Scotland and Wales by visiting your government’s website.

Getting tested regularly is the only way to know if you have the virus. If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading.

If you or your staff receive a positive test result from a lateral flow test visit your nation’s website find out what to do.

England

Scotland

Wales

If you have had the vaccine

It is good practice to take a rapid lateral flow test twice a week (every 3 or 4 days). This applies even if you and your staff have received the first dose or both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Even after both doses of the vaccine you can still catch COVID-19 and pass it on to others without knowing.

Find out who is currently eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination.

Keeping testing going

If our VSAs have COVID-19 or come into contact with someone who has it, they cannot work and vehicle tests will be cancelled.

Just one VSA who has to self-isolate as a result of testing positive or coming into close contact with someone with COVID-19 could cause 60 or more vehicle tests to be cancelled.

This is why it’s vital that everyone continues to follow government guidance about protecting themselves and others from COVID-19 so we can keep vehicle testing on track.

Remembering the basics

To ensure we can continue testing vehicles safely, you need to keep following the guidance for operators on GOV.UK.

As other rules relax, keeping vehicles clean and ventilated, regular handwashing and social distancing are still important. This helps to ensure the safety of drivers, ATF staff and DVSA colleagues.

Thank you

Thank you for continuing to follow COVID-19 secure testing procedures.

We will continue to keep the situation under review in line with government advice and provide a further update if there is a change that affects our services.