MOT Testers Manual - ministry and manufacturers plates

1. Manufacturer’s plates are usually located inside the vehicle cab and on the nearside. 2. On the manufacturer’s plate is provision to show vehicle ‘DESIGN WEIGHTS’ also ‘WEIGHTS NOT TO BE EXCEEDED IN GT. BRITAIN’ (GB WEIGHTS) otherwise known as Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). In cases where there is not a DGW shown on a plate then the GROSS GB WEIGHT or MAM is used for brake percentage efficiency calculations. Some vehicles first used before 1968 may not be fitted with a plate displaying gross weight. The brake percentage efficiency of such vehicles must be determined by Decelerometer Test - see sub-section 3.7 B1. Note: If the presented vehicle is fitted with a ‘Ministry’ plate then the information displayed on that plate will always override the information displayed on the Manufacturer’s plate. The registration number and chassis number on the ‘Ministry’ plate must always be cross checked to ensure the plate relates to that vehicle.

Issue Date: 01 January 2012