The second trial of connected garages for the MOT test was due to start in May
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has paused its trial of the use of connected cameras in garages.
In March, the DVSA said it would be trialling the use of devices with cameras built in, such as smartphones or tablets, to allow MOT testers to take a photo of a vehicle’s number plate and upload it to the MOT Testing Service (MTS).
Removing the need to enter the registration plate manually should, in theory, reduce errors and help save time during the test.
The DVSA had planned to begin the second phase of the trial in May, but this has been delayed due to security concerns.
In a statement, the DVSA’s Chris Price said: “It’s important we make sure MTS is protected against viruses or other bugs that could occur when people are uploading photos – hence this taking a little bit longer. We’ll let you know how this work progresses and when we’ll be rolling out the second phase.”
Previously, Price labelled the first trial a success and said the feature would be launched as a primary method of registering tests if “no significant issues [are] identified in the second trial”.
It also said that garages would be given plenty of warning of any changes.
Comments and questions from garage owners and MOT testers
The DVSA published the news on its Matters of Testing blog. Here are some of the comments and questions.
Camera or keyboard
Iain Gorrie asked: “Can you explain the benefit of camera use as opposed to using the keyboard as currently used please?”
Neil Barlow, head of MOT policy at the DVSA, said: “From memory we see several 10s of thousands a year – avoids a whole load of hassle for motorists when they come to tax their car and DVSA/the garage in putting things right!”
No more cowboys?
RG Tucker commented: “The cameras will get rid of some of the cowboys or make them straight.” Mark Marsden disagreed, saying: “No it won’t; anybody can take a photo of a reg plate, [it] doesn’t mean it will get an MOT.”
Neil Barlow responded: “That is true. But it makes it harder again. And when we review a photo and it is clearly sitting in a car park – that will be helpful evidence. Stopping fraud isn’t about just one step – it is about multiple interventions; but those need to be proportionate.”
Removing the rotten apples
Lee from Cheshire welcomed the move, saying: “I think the introduction of camera would be a great step to the security of the system and make it hard for the few rotten apples to abuse the system.”
What are your views on the use of connected cameras in garages? Let us know in the comments section.
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i Have been in the motor trade since 1971 i own a garage and fix vehicles my view on this point is ,the DVLA must be aware of the rotten garages whom carry out bad tests or abuse the system so ban those garages,garages have to input vin numbers and reg into system if they dont match then dont allow log on to testing system IE no test allowed ,the garage testing should not be allowed to discount for testing fees the price should be fixed by DVLA and adhered to,photos of reg plates can be taken anywhere or day so that system is not fool proof more owness should be placed on vehicle owners to check details are correct at point of purchase or point of test.