DVSA to replace MOT PIN system with new ‘security card’

Users will get their electronic cards later this year but garages are already expressing concerns

DVSA to replace MOT PIN system with new ‘security card’
The six-digit pin generated by the card will need to be entered with the user ID and password each time users log on to the service.

A new MOT testing service security card which works similar to an online banking security card is being trialled ahead of its roll-out later this year.

The DVSA say the new card, which will replace the current PIN system, will make the system more secure.

Users will be required to press a button on the front of the card to generate a unique six-digit PIN which will be required to log in to the MOT testing service.

The next round of testing is due to be completed by the end of the month.

Feedback from early trials has been positive according to the DVSA, with one tester reporting: “it’s good, easy to use, an improvement.”

However, not all test stations are as positive about the news of a new card.

Pressing the card generates personalised PIN.

GW reader, Andrew Jones commented: “I can guarantee when these fail, which they will, we will again be left on our own with DVSA staff not even able to answer the phone or respond to any technical questions.”

Writing on the DVSA blog, one tester wrote: “Sadly the various changes to the MOT system, in my mind, are more about administration and less about actual road safety and quality of testing standards.

“This is costing the industry many decent testers who are simply fed up of being made to jump through hoops by a organisation which is streamlining itself to being very minimalist, and lumping the costs and more issues onto the testers.”

The current security system has not been compromised but the agency claims the move is part of its “continuing obligation to protect personal data and ensure the secure delivery of on line public services”

Speaking to GW about why the new system is being implemented, the DVSA said: “Over time a PIN alone can become less secure and more vulnerable to disclosure.

“The new security card displays a unique number, or code, each time it is used.

“The password associated with the card and the unique code combine to form a two-factor authentication, that is far more secure than the single factor of password/PIN.”

The six-digit pin generated by the card will need to be entered with the user ID and password each time users log on to the service.

Do you believe the new cards are a security improvement or are you concerned about potential pitfalls and costs to your business? Please share your comments below.

38 Comments

  1. Will each card be unique to each tester or will all the cards be the same? If the same, then how is that more secure? At the moment no one knows my pin number but me, with this card anyone can generate a pin using the card?
    I don’t get it!!

    Reply
  2. Will each card be unique to each tester or will all the cards be the same? If the same, then how is that more secure? At the moment no one knows my pin number but me, with this card anyone can generate a pin using the card?
    I don’t get it!!

    Reply
  3. Never a truer word spoken here ;

    “This is costing the industry many decent testers who are simply fed up of being made to jump through hoops by a organisation which is streamlining itself to being very minimalist, and lumping the costs and more issues onto the testers.”

    Reply
  4. Never a truer word spoken here ;

    “This is costing the industry many decent testers who are simply fed up of being made to jump through hoops by a organisation which is streamlining itself to being very minimalist, and lumping the costs and more issues onto the testers.”

    Reply
  5. These card look to fragile to be carried around in mechanics pockets and will get broken and if we are not carrying them we will be reprimanded, we cant win can we?

    Reply
  6. These card look to fragile to be carried around in mechanics pockets and will get broken and if we are not carrying them we will be reprimanded, we cant win can we?

    Reply
  7. We should get rid of all the part worn tyres and stop importing them from the like of the Germans and others. All there scrap tyres coming over here. We need a 2mm tread min across the tyre. Now that would make the MOT tester’s life a bit better.

    Reply
  8. We should get rid of all the part worn tyres and stop importing them from the like of the Germans and others. All there scrap tyres coming over here. We need a 2mm tread min across the tyre. Now that would make the MOT tester’s life a bit better.

    Reply
  9. A similarly facility is used by HSBC for home banking with the card being absolutely unique to the user. Why slate something if you do not know the mode of operation? Most mechanics carry a mobile phone while working and in general their phones survive that environment without damage. The card is not as fragile as a phone and will therefore be just fine.

    Reply
    • I hope you don’t carry a phone on you while testing ! I think you are missing the point , the card is just the latest in a long line of ill thought out plans.

      Reply
  10. A similarly facility is used by HSBC for home banking with the card being absolutely unique to the user. Why slate something if you do not know the mode of operation? Most mechanics carry a mobile phone while working and in general their phones survive that environment without damage. The card is not as fragile as a phone and will therefore be just fine.

    Reply
    • I hope you don’t carry a phone on you while testing ! I think you are missing the point , the card is just the latest in a long line of ill thought out plans.

      Reply
  11. As a card it looks fragile plus electrics who knows and it can get misplaced or just left lying around! Ive got password and pin number in my head so no one gets them, also will we have to pay weve had to with everything else?

    Reply
  12. As a card it looks fragile plus electrics who knows and it can get misplaced or just left lying around! Ive got password and pin number in my head so no one gets them, also will we have to pay weve had to with everything else?

    Reply
  13. If it works flawlessly then fine. If it doesn’t I will be hopping mad again!

    Reply
  14. If it works flawlessly then fine. If it doesn’t I will be hopping mad again!

    Reply
  15. All they need to do is bring back mot card and reader

    Reply
  16. All they need to do is bring back mot card and reader

    Reply
  17. So this new card can still log on anywhere

    Reply
  18. So this new card can still log on anywhere

    Reply
  19. You have only to look at reasons to fail a car on reg plates faults. Twice as many as for brakes. Says it all???

    Reply
  20. You have only to look at reasons to fail a car on reg plates faults. Twice as many as for brakes. Says it all???

    Reply
  21. We all at our testing station find that the existing security arrangments work very well why change them

    Reply
  22. We all at our testing station find that the existing security arrangments work very well why change them

    Reply
  23. DVSA will never stamp out fraud, crooked people always seem to be one jump ahead.
    This latest attempt will end up costing testers more grief and money.
    We might as well go back to written tickets for all the good that computerisation has done.
    Keep smiling.

    Reply
  24. DVSA will never stamp out fraud, crooked people always seem to be one jump ahead.
    This latest attempt will end up costing testers more grief and money.
    We might as well go back to written tickets for all the good that computerisation has done.
    Keep smiling.

    Reply
  25. It’s no good moaning, the minions at DVSA have made up their mind and spent a fortune on these cards. We’re getting them no matter what, frustrating as it may be. The only thing i don’t understand is why the DVSA asked for our opinions when they had clearly already made up their minds.

    Reply
  26. It’s no good moaning, the minions at DVSA have made up their mind and spent a fortune on these cards. We’re getting them no matter what, frustrating as it may be. The only thing i don’t understand is why the DVSA asked for our opinions when they had clearly already made up their minds.

    Reply
  27. No good moaning about this it’s going to happen, like all things government inspired our thoughts and comments wont make a jot of difference, but think about this, Digital encryption of data is and always will be insecure (it’s an on/off signal at a given transfer rate) yes it allows large amounts of data to be transferred quickly but is easily decripted by any body who has access to the dark web (software is freely available) unlike the, wait for it! old system of dedicated phone line and dial up, this had very limited access and was almost impossible by anybody to access unless they had access to an exchange.It was slow but secure

    Reply
  28. No good moaning about this it’s going to happen, like all things government inspired our thoughts and comments wont make a jot of difference, but think about this, Digital encryption of data is and always will be insecure (it’s an on/off signal at a given transfer rate) yes it allows large amounts of data to be transferred quickly but is easily decripted by any body who has access to the dark web (software is freely available) unlike the, wait for it! old system of dedicated phone line and dial up, this had very limited access and was almost impossible by anybody to access unless they had access to an exchange.It was slow but secure

    Reply
  29. Will we be getting a ” spare ” card like before and will dvsa be funding replacements when they fail ?

    Reply
  30. Will we be getting a ” spare ” card like before and will dvsa be funding replacements when they fail ?

    Reply
  31. The introduction of these cards can only mean there must be some fraud being carried out that is worrying the DVSA. As everyone says its a shame that we have to take the burden.

    Reply
  32. The introduction of these cards can only mean there must be some fraud being carried out that is worrying the DVSA. As everyone says its a shame that we have to take the burden.

    Reply
  33. They still haven’t got an up to date edition of the MOT testing guide the 6th edition is written for the old system. Therefore no one in the UK has conducted an MOT under the current legislation set out in the 6th edition for almost a year. As a result we are all carrying out mot test unregulated. This is what the need to sort out first. VOSA officials currently have no regulations they can apply as not test is started in accordance with current legislation.

    Reply
  34. They still haven’t got an up to date edition of the MOT testing guide the 6th edition is written for the old system. Therefore no one in the UK has conducted an MOT under the current legislation set out in the 6th edition for almost a year. As a result we are all carrying out mot test unregulated. This is what the need to sort out first. VOSA officials currently have no regulations they can apply as not test is started in accordance with current legislation.

    Reply
  35. I’m pleased I still have the small safe on the wall.

    Reply
  36. I’m pleased I still have the small safe on the wall.

    Reply

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