A BILL to modernise the MoT testing regime is almost certain to become law after it successfully completed its second reading in the Lords. The Road Traffic (Vehicle Testing) Bill aims to make maximum use of the future computerisation of the system by allowing the police easier access to testing records in order to stamp out certificate fraud, and also give the Vehicle Inspectorate better control of testing standards across the country's 19,000 testing stations.

The Bill also paves the way for paperless vehicle licensing transactions, such as vehicle excise duty payments and the issuing of driving licences through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The Government is also looking at using the MoT modernisation to tighten up the effectiveness of vehicle recalls - at present, about 15% to 20% of owners don't respond. The Government is considering getting MoT stations to back up manufacturer recalls with a separate warning to owners.