The Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981

Results of examinations

15.—(1) Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, examiners and inspectors appointed by a designated council or the Secretary of State shall, after an examination of a motor vehicle is completed and, subject to paragraph (2), on the same date as that on which the examination is completed—

(a) where it is found on the examination that the prescribed statutory requirements are complied with in relation to the vehicle, issue a test certificate;

(b) where it is not so found on the examination, issue a notice of the refusal of a test certificate; and

(c) in the case of a Class III, IV or V vehicle issue an inspection check list on a form approved by the Secretary of State marked “VT29” or, in the case of a Class VI vehicle, “VTP30”.

(2) Where it is not practicable for a test certificate and inspection check list to be issued on the same date as that on which the examination of the vehicle is completed the said certificate and list may be issued within one day following that date, if between the time of the completion of the examination and the time of issue of the test certificate the vehicle has not been moved from the vehicle testing station at which the examination was carried out and the condition of the vehicle has not altered so as to result in the prescribed statutory requirements being no longer complied with in relation thereto, and where it is not practicable for a notice of the refusal of a test certificate and inspection check list to be issued on the same date as that on which the examination of the vehicle is completed, the said notice and list may be issued within one day following that date.

(3) Subject to the provisions of these Regulations—

(a) every test certificate shall be on a form supplied by the Secretary of State (marked “VT20” or, if it relates to a Class VI vehicle, “VTP20”) and shall contain—

(i) particulars of the registration mark (if any) exhibited on the vehicle or, if no such mark is exhibited, the chassis or serial number marked on the vehicle;

(ii) the make of the vehicle, its approximate year of manufacture, and the mileage recorded by any odometer with which it is fitted;

(iii) if the vehicle is a goods vehicle, its unladen weight specified in kilograms, or if it is not a goods vehicle, its horse-power or cylinder capacity;

(iv) a statement that the vehicle has been found on examination to comply with the prescribed statutory requirements;

(v) the number of the vehicle testing station where the examination occurred;

(vi) the date of the issue of the test certificate and the date on which it will expire;

(vii) the serial number of the test certificate; and

(viii) if the date of the expiry of the certificate is more than 12 months after the date of the its issue, the serial number of the certificate last issued in respect of the vehicle;

(b) every notice of the refusal of a test certificate shall be on a form supplied by the Secretary of State (marked “VT21” or, if it relates to a Class VI vehicle, “VTP30”) and shall contain—

(i) the information mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i), (ii) and (iii);

(ii) a statement that the application for a test certificate is refused, and of the grounds of such refusal; and

(iii) the date on which the notification is issued and the number allotted by the Secretary of State to the vehicle testing station at which it is issued.

(4) Every test certificate, notice of the refusal of a test certificate and inspection check list issued in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation and Regulation 16 shall, after the examination has been carried out, be signed—

(a) where the examination is carried out at the premises of an examiner, by the person who carried out the examination;

(b) where the examination is carried out by an inspector appointed by a designated council or the Secretary of State, by that inspector who shall specify the authority by whom he has been appointed as inspector,

and any signature on a test certificate or notice of refusal of a test certificate by a person in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) above or by an inspector appointed by a designated council in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) above shall be accompanied by an embossment by a stamp of the examiner or the council on whose behalf the certificate of notice is signed.