27-03-07 MOT Computerisation receives prestigious award nomination
VOSA’s MOT Computerisation project has been short-listed for a major award. The Government Computer Awards, which are billed as “the UK’s premier awards, recognising the people and projects behind the best in UK public sector technology”, have short-listed the scheme in the Best Project - Government to Business category.
MOT Computerisation, which was introduced back in 2005 in partnership with Siemens IT Solutions and Services Ltd, has been successfully introduced to all 18,700 private MOT garages throughout Great Britain. Roll-out was implemented in less than 12 months at no cost to the garages themselves, representing the single biggest change to the MOT scheme since its introduction almost 50 years ago.
The success of MOT Computerisation can be measured by the fact that in a recent independent MORI survey, 75% of garages said MOT Computerisation had had a positive effect on business, while 95% said it was easy to use. The four main benefits are: reduction in certificate theft, fraud and forgery; improved administration; improved consumer protection; and an increase in the standard of MOT testing (please see notes below).
Alex Fiddes, VOSA’s Private Vehicle Director, said: “Transforming the old paper-based system into one fit for the 21st century has been a massive task, but it’s one that has been taken on with relish by both our staff and those at Siemens. It is a testament to their skill and hard work, and the flexibility of the garage owners and workers, that MOT Computerisation has been such a success.”
The awards ceremony will be held at Madame Tussaud’s in London on the evening of April 26.
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
Providing training and advice for commercial operators
Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls
Background
Siemens IT Solutions and Services Ltd was awarded the PFI contract in February 2000. The contract required them to establish a national MOT database linking VOSA with all MOT Testing Stations.
The system was rolled out with effect from 18 April 2005 to all MOT garages and was completed in March 2006. Roll out entailed the installation of the mot Computer equipment, the distribution of the new documentation, the collection of unused test certificates and the training of users.
There are many benefits of MOT Computerisation, but the four main ones are:
Improved standards of testing. The ability to more effectively monitor the performance of MOT garages will help to improve the standard and consistency of testing. Testers will also be provided with information specific to the make and model of vehicle they are about to test.
Reduction in certificate theft, fraud and forgery. A new receipt style certificate is printed at the end of the test, eliminating the need for pre-printed pads of certificates.
Improved consumer protection. Prospective vehicle purchasers can, with the owner’s permission, check both its MOT status and MOT history, including the recorded mileage at each MOT throughout its lifetime. As stated above, there will also be fewer forged documents in circulation.
Improved administration of the MOT scheme. The increased data available on the 30m+ MOT tests conducted annually will enable VOSA to target enforcement and educational/advisory activities more effectively.
VOSA users are able to access the system both via their existing network and remotely, and vehicle data is passed between the DVLA database and the system each day. The data passed from DVLA to the MOT database when a vehicle is tested includes:
• The Vehicle Registration Mark (i.e. the numberplate)
• The Vehicle Identification Number (i.e. the chassis number)
• The make of the vehicle (e.g. Ford)
• The model (e.g. Mondeo Ghia)
• The colour of the vehicle
• The engine capacity
• The type of fuel it runs on (e.g. petrol, etc)
For media inquiries about VOSA, please contact: Henry Norman on 0117 954 3208 / henry.norman@vosa.gov.uk, or Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561 / zita.galambosi@vosa.gov.uk.
Could you please send the published version of any articles about VOSA to press@vosa.gov.uk, VOSA, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol, BS5 0DA, or fax them to 0117 9543303. Many thanks.
Page last updated: 27/03/2007