MOT Annual Training Whilst Furloughed

April 17, 2020

MOT Annual Training Whilst Furloughed – Will completing MOT Tester annual training affect furlough payments?

In our opinion, no. It will not.

Read on for a detailed explanation of why completing MOT  annual Training whilst furloughed will not affect payments under the current Job Retention Scheme

An Explanation

Can a tester study whilst on furlough? The answer is yes for the reasons below.

Should a tester undertake to complete some or all of their Annual MOT tester training?

The answer is yes.  Make the most of the this time.  Read our blog ‘Lockdown for MOT Testers – How to Survive and Thrive During the Coronavirus Crisis and Beyond‘

1. 1. The training that a tester must undertake is a requirement of their authorisation by the Secretary of State to conduct statutory tests on certain vehicles
   2. It is not a requirement of the employer that the tester undertake training as specified in Section E3.2 of the MOT Testing Guide. It is a requirement for the MOT tester in order to retain their authorisation.
   3. The employer must ensure the tester is qualified to be employed as a tester. It is for the tester to ensure they have completed qualifying training.
   4. An employer may pay for and supply the training to the tester via MOT Juice but completion of the training is the responsibility of the individual tester not the employer.

There will also be no payment due to the tester, from the employer, for completing the MOT annual training whilst on furlough. 

Because training must be completed by the tester for the tester  completion of the training  will not compromise furlough payments.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Here is the information listed on the Government’s website.

Check if you could be covered by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – GOV.UK

Click the link above to find out if your employer is eligible, and how much your employer can claim if they’re unable to operate or have no work for you to do because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Further detail will be …

While you are on furlough

Your employer will need to notify you before putting you on furlough.

Once you are on furlough you will not be able to work for your employer, but you can undertake training or volunteer subject to public health guidance, as long as you’re not:

• making money for your employer
• providing services to your employer

If workers are required to for example, complete training courses whilst they are furloughed, then they must be paid at least the NLW/NMW for the time spent training, even if this is more than the 80% of their wage that will be subsidised.

Any activities undertaken while on furlough must be in line with the latest Public Health guidance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Your employer can still make you redundant while you’re on furlough or afterwards.

MOT Testing Guide

Here is the information listed in the MOT Testing Guide

Introduction to the MOT Testing Guide (6th Edition)

This document is intended to help new and existing Authorised Examiners, Testers and other interested parties comply with the requirements for authorisation by the Secretary of State to conduct statutory tests on certain motor vehicles.

Section E3.2

Testers must keep up to date with current practices and standards by:

1. studying all relevant Special Notices (and acknowledge on MTS when required), the MOT Testing Guide, Matters of Testing, emailed messages from DVSA and appropriate Inspection Manuals and their amendments;

2. successfully complete annual training and assessment as stipulated by DVSA;

3. training on the use of any new or modified equipment installed at their VTS;

4. studying or training on the significance and correct functioning of any new feat

Read our blog MOT Furlogh – Tester training FAQs for more information and answers to common questions.