More than 30,000 MOT testers are yet to complete their annual training and assessment, official DVSA figures show.

With just over a month to go until the 31 March deadline, the DVSA is urging testers to ensure they complete training and assessment or face suspension.

Last year, 1,882 testers were suspended for failing to do so, down on 2018’s 5,538 suspensions.

If suspended from testing, testers will need to complete all next year’s topics and take a demonstration test to be able to return to testing.

Related: Motorists urged not to ignore minor MOT fails and advisories

DVSA product manager, Simon Smith said: “Annual training and assessment is a vital part of continuous improvement to maintain high quality MOTs.

“Last year more testers than ever completed their training and assessment on time.

“But to avoid the last-minute rush, testers should record their training and assessment results well before 31 March.

“We’re really pleased with the improvement from last year and I’d like to thank all those testers who did so.”

Every year, all 63,000 MOT testers must carry out training and assessment on set topics to make sure they are competent and safe to carry out MOTs.

Testers need to do at least three hours of training each year and a total of 16 hours in five years.

Training can be completed individually, in a group or on a course with a training provider.

Related: Garage pressure prompts DVSA to announce connected MOT equipment transition period

The pass mark for the current assessment is 70 per cent but it will increase to 80 per cent for 2020 to 2021 assessments.

The assessment consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and usually takes around 45 minutes to complete.

Annual training and assessment was introduced in 2016 as a programme of continuous improvement for testers so they are well informed about the work they do and keep up to date with new technology and industry requirements.

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