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Institute of Transport Administration

Educating Transport Management since 1944

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Creating a Vehicle Examination Facility network for approvals tests 

7 Feb 2026

Currently, the vast majority of approval tests are carried out in DVSA’s own Goods Vehicle Testing Stations (GVTS) across Great Britian. But many customers have to travel long distances to attend a test, costing businesses time and money. 

To help make our services more efficient and accessible to you, we’re creating a VEF network across the country – alongside continuing to provide IVAs and MSVAs at some existing sites.  

 The new model will bring approvals tests closer to customers. It is very similar to the way heavy vehicle annual tests are conducted and allows approvals tests to be conducted at third party sites. DVSA staff will continue to carry out the test.   

VEF sites can operate as: 

  • own account site: conduct tests on their own vehicles 
  • open access site: which can test third party customer vehicles  
  • or a combination of both  

Existing Privately Owned Testing Facilities (POTFs) can also apply to gain VEF status. This means that these sites can gain the same benefits as VEF providers.   

To make sure our processes run smoothly, we’ve been working with some pilot sites to get their feedback on the authorisation and application processes.  

So far, feedback has been really positive. And where issues have arisen, we handled them quickly and easily.  

For more information contact ATI@DVSA.gov.uk

Further information:

https://movingon.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/04/creating-a-vehicle-examination-facility-network-for-approvals-tests/