I went through DVSA's special notice and its follow-up for testers because a few headlines have made this sound like every MOT garage must photograph every car right now.

That is not what DVSA says. The distinction matters if you run a busy test lane and do not fancy buying kit because of a headline.

First, is the photo compulsory?

No. DVSA began a phased rollout on 3 August 2026. About 2,500 garages across Great Britain got access in that phase, with more sites to follow. If the feature has not appeared at your garage, the special notice says you do not need to do anything yet. [1]

For garages that do have it, taking and uploading a photo is currently optional. A tester can carry on with the MOT and select a reason if they cannot take or upload one. DVSA encourages using the feature so testers get used to it, but it has not published a date when photos will become mandatory. A DVSA reply to testers also says current voluntary use has no effect on a garage's RAG rating. That is the red, amber or green risk rating used in MOT oversight. [1][2]

My view: treat this as a chance to sort out your process, not a reason to panic.

What photo does DVSA actually want?

The point is to show that the vehicle was at the testing station during its test. It does not replace any part of the MOT inspection. [1]

DVSA's tester guidance says the vehicle should be on the test equipment in the testing bay. The image should be clear, not blurred, and show a legible number plate. A neat photo of the car outside in the customer car park misses the point. [2]

That caught my attention. A garage can have a perfectly good camera and still make this awkward if nobody has thought about where the tester will stand, whether the plate is visible or whether the bay's Wi-Fi reaches the phone.

Phone, tablet or desktop: how does it work?

There are two routes. A tester can use a suitable phone or tablet while registering the vehicle. Or they can start the test on a desktop computer and scan the QR code with a camera-equipped device to take the photo. There is no separate app to download. The image goes straight to the MOT testing service rather than the device's camera roll. [1][2]

DVSA says it does not expect testers to rely on their own equipment. Whether the site provides a device, and how it handles connectivity and phone use, is for the employer and test station to decide. [2]

If I ran the garage, I would settle that point now. The workshop is no place for a last-minute debate about whose personal mobile should be used.

A five-minute test-bay check

If your site has access, I would do this with the people who actually test cars:

  • Open the vehicle registration journey and check whether the photo option appears.
  • Decide which suitable device the garage will use and who keeps it charged.
  • Check camera permission, browser settings and Wi-Fi or mobile connection from the test bay.
  • Work out where to stand so the car, bay and number plate appear clearly.
  • Look at the MOT test log afterwards. Managers can see whether a photo was uploaded or why it was not. [1]

Those are practical setup steps, not a new legal checklist. DVSA says device compatibility, browser settings, network coverage and local IT restrictions caused trouble in the trials. Its notice explains what details to send if you still need support after checking them. [1]

What I would watch next

The direction of travel is clear: DVSA wants photo evidence to help deter MOT fraud and expects to give more garages access. But its published position is still voluntary use, with no announced compulsory date. [1][2]

So I would try the feature when it arrives, fix any device or connection snag early, and keep an eye on future DVSA notices. I would not tell customers or staff that every test legally needs a photo today.

That is a small but useful difference. It keeps your garage ready without turning a sensible trial into a rule that does not yet exist.

Checked against the sources below on 20 September 2026. The rollout and DVSA guidance may change.