MOT Photos at Test: The August 2026 Rollout Explained

What changed on 3 August 2026

DVSA special notice 04-26, issued on 29 July 2026, announced the national rollout of photos at test. The rollout began on 3 August 2026 and covers about 2,500 garages in Great Britain. Later phases will follow, extending the scheme to further test stations over time. The notice set out the start date and scale ahead of the launch.

Taking and uploading photos is currently optional for testers. Where a tester does not upload photos, a reason for not uploading can be selected. DVSA has said the requirement may become mandatory in future, but no date for that change has been given. The optional status applies from the start of the rollout.

The rollout marks the first national phase of photo capture at test. It follows the special notice published five days before launch. About 2,500 garages in Great Britain are covered in this phase, with later phases to follow. The scheme remains optional for now, and DVSA has confirmed it may become mandatory at a later stage.

What is photographed

The photograph taken under the August 2026 rollout shows the vehicle in the test bay with its number plate fully legible. A front or rear view is acceptable, so the image does not need to capture a particular end of the vehicle. The purpose is to record the vehicle as presented for testing, with the plate clear enough to identify it. Test stations take the photo as part of the normal test process, and the image forms part of the record held for that test.

A photo is taken when the vehicle is registered for a test or retest. This means the image is captured at the point of registration rather than at some later stage, tying the photograph to the specific test event. The requirement applies equally to initial tests and retests, so every registration for a test produces its own image. The photo is therefore linked to the individual test or retest rather than to the vehicle in general.

Retests need a new photo. A vehicle returning for a retest is photographed again, even where a photo was taken at the original test. The earlier image is not reused for the retest. This ensures each retest has its own photograph showing the vehicle in the test bay at that time, with the number plate fully legible. The same standard applies to the retest photo as to the photo taken at first registration for a test.

Why DVSA wants photos

The DVSA wants photographic evidence because it directly supports the integrity of the MOT record. A photo showing the vehicle at the garage at the time of the test creates a clear link between the vehicle and the inspection. This makes it harder for anyone to claim a test took place when the vehicle was elsewhere, and it gives the agency a reliable reference point if a result is later questioned.

Fraud is the central concern. Photos taken at the test provide a simple check that the vehicle was physically at the garage. That deters operators and others from taking shortcuts, and it reduces the number of certificates issued without the vehicle present.

Identity purposes also matter. A photograph ties the test to a specific vehicle rather than a paper record alone, which helps the DVSA match evidence to the correct MOT entry. The photos are therefore a practical safeguard rather than a change to the technical standards the test itself assesses.

Where the photos go

Photographs taken during an MOT test upload directly to the MOT Testing Service. They are not saved to the device camera roll, so no copy remains on the phone or tablet used by the tester. This keeps the image record within the secure system from the moment it is captured, rather than on a personal or garage device where it could be copied, lost or shared outside the formal test record.

DVSA states that photos are kept for 13 months and then deleted automatically. Access is restricted to authorised users, so the images are not publicly visible and cannot be viewed by anyone without the relevant permissions. The retention period gives DVSA and authorised parties a defined window in which to review images linked to a test before the automatic deletion takes effect.

The storage arrangements follow earlier trial phases that involved over 300 garages and over 60,000 images. The August 2026 rollout builds on that experience, with the same principle that images sit in the central service rather than on the device that captured them.

Frequently asked questions

When did the MOT photo rollout begin and how many garages does it cover?

The national rollout began on 3 August 2026 and covers about 2,500 garages in Great Britain. It follows DVSA special notice 04-26, issued on 29 July 2026, which announced the rollout. Later phases will follow.

Is taking a photo at test currently compulsory?

Taking and uploading photos is currently optional. Testers can select a reason for not uploading a photo. DVSA says the requirement may become mandatory in future, but no date for that change has been given.

What must the photo show?

The photo shows the vehicle in the test bay with the number plate fully legible. A front or rear view is acceptable. A photo is taken when the vehicle is registered for a test or retest, and retests need a new photo.

Why are photos being introduced at MOT tests?

The photos provide evidence that the vehicle was at the garage at the time of the test. DVSA says this deters MOT fraud and reduces certificates issued without the vehicle present. Earlier trial phases involved over 300 garages and over 60,000 images.

Where are the photos stored and how long are they kept?

Photos upload directly to the MOT Testing Service and are not saved to the device camera roll. DVSA says photos are kept for 13 months, then deleted automatically, and only authorised users can access them.