The Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981

Duplicate test certificates

23.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if a test certificate has been lost or defaced, an application for the issue of a duplicate of the original certificate may be made—

(a) where the original certificate did not relate to a Class VI vehicle—

(i) in a case where the original certificate was issued not more than eighteen months previously by an authorised examiner at a vehicle testing station specified in an authorisation of that examiner which has not ceased to have effect, to that examiner at that station;

(ii) in a case where the original certificate was issued by an inspector appointed by a designated council whose designation has not been revoked, to that council;

(iii) in a case where the original certificate was issued by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, to the Secretary of State at the vehicle testing station where the examination which resulted in the issue of the certificate was carried out;

(iv) in any other case, to the Secretary of State at the office of the traffic area in which is situated the vehicle testing station or other place at which the certificate was issued;

(b) where the original certificate related to a Class VI vehicle, to the Secretary of State at the Goods Vehicle Centre (PSV Section), Welcombe House, 91-92 The Strand, Swansea, SA1 2DH.

(2) The examiner, council or Secretary of State to whom an application is made under paragraph (1) shall search the copies of test certificates and other records in their possession and upon tracing sufficient particulars of the certificate to which the application relates to enable a duplicate to be issued and on being paid a fee of £1.50 in the case of a Class VI vehicle; and in any other case £1 shall issue a duplicate marked “Duplicate” and the duplicate so issued shall have the same effect as the original test certificate:

Provided that no such search need to be made if the original certificate was issued more than 18 months previously or if the applicant does not furnish with his application either the serial number of the original certificate or the approximate date of its issue, together with particulars of the registration mark of the vehicle to which the certificate relates and (in the case specified in paragraph (1)(d)) also either the address or the identification number of the vehicle testing station at which the original certificate was issued.