PHVs and proposed MOT Changes

In this article we will outline some of the proposed changes and how they may affect PHV's.

This means that all new cars will be required to take their first MOT 4 years after first registration rather than 3 years currently in place. 

This is being highlighted as a cost saving change for drivers but the current TfL rules for PHVs require 2 MOT's per year.
It will be very interesting to see if this means licensed vehicles will only need 1 yearly MOT and non-licensed vehicles will move to one MOT every 2 years.
According to the Department for Transport this change is due to newer vehicles being safer.

The DfT has already agreed to include live vehicle recall updates with major vehicle manufacturers. This means when you take a PHV in for MOT you will be given information about vehicle manufacturer recalls as an advisory. Your car will not fail due to the advisories but bear in mind that TfL also sends reminders to drivers regarding any manufacturer recalls and you must then take the vehicle in for the recall or TfL may suspend your private hire vehicle licence until the issue has been resolved.

The DfT is considering adding an EV battery check as a part of the MOT process as there are more electric vehicles on the road. As you know TfL will only licence Zero emission (ZEC) vehicles since 01/01/2023 and this means more private hire drivers will move to electric vehicles therefore this check will definitely affect them.

Similar changes have been introduced by some EU countries and we believe MOT testing requires an update to keep up with the technology advances of modern vehicles.
Surely these MOT changes will have an impact on new regulations for private hire vehicles.