The VCT is in effect an MOT which incorporates the vehicle inspection that would otherwise have been carried out by a Licensing Officer.  It therefore includes elements such as checking for a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, the cleanliness of the vehicle inside and outside, correct plates are displayed etc.

You need to present a valid VCT Certificate when your vehicle is first licensed (at which time one of our Licensing Officers will also carry out an inspection of the vehicle).

Your vehicle will need to pass an annual VCT in the 4 weeks prior to a licence being granted or renewed. The garage will give you a copy of the VCT Certificate of Compliance and the VCT Inspection Form, and it is your responsibility to send these two documents to us.

For vehicles over 10 years of age, your vehicle will need to pass two VCTs per year; one when the licence is renewed and one six months after that date.

Failure to carry out a VCT when required is viewed very seriously and will result in the suspension of the vehicle licence and the issue of 6 penalty points under Rother’s Penalty Point Scheme.

For a list of local garages which are authorised to carry out the VCT, including current prices, please download our Vehicle Compliance Testing Stations. A standard MOT can be provided at the same time as the VCT, if requested. You are recommended to have an MOT carried out the same time as one of the VCTs, as the VCT is not recognised by the DVLA database and you may need the MOT to obtain road tax for the vehicle.

For examples of the VCT Certificate of Compliance and Inspection Form, please view VCT Certificate of Compliance and VCT Inspection Form. For full details on the VCT Testing standards please view VCT Testing Standards.