We're the ATF Operators Association (ATFOA), representing a nationwide network of 400 Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) — the MOT centres for HGVs, buses, coaches, and trailers across the UK.
Explore our work, and if our mission resonates with you, join or renew your membership today — and help us make a difference.
I'm Stephen Smith, the individual behind the inception of the ATFOA in 2013, and I've served as its chair ever since then.
Additionally, I'm the CEO of Boleyn Recovery & Fleet Services, a family-owned business (and ATF) with an unbroken trading legacy spanning more than 60 years. This experience provides me with firsthand knowledge of the industry.
While I believe the ATFOA has played a crucial role in influencing government policies regarding HGV MOT testing, there is more work to be done, as you'll discover.
Before my involvement with ATFOA, I held the position of president at the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators (AVRO), the oldest and largest representative body for professional recovery operators in the UK and Ireland.
During my tenure, I spearheaded successful lobbying efforts, initially in Scotland, prompting a review and an increase in statutory vehicle recovery rates. Subsequently, our advocacy reached the UK Parliament, resulting in a commendable 27% increase in statutory vehicle recovery rates and a commitment to annual reviews.
I look forward to seeing what we can achieve by working together.
Join or renew today, and make a difference.
On 25 September 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) published a consultation on proposals to increase the maximum service charges that ATFs can charge their customers.
This consultation follows 18 months of sustained engagement between ATFOA, the Department for Transport (DfT), and the DVSA, since our relaunch in April 2024. ATFOA represents an industry of around 400 ATFs.
On behalf of the industry, we have consistently highlighted that ATF service charges (the 'pit fees') have remained unchanged since the ATF contract was introduced in 2010. Over this period, costs have risen significantly with inflation, while running costs - including investment in updated equipment to ensure modern vehicles are safe and compliant - have also grown. To remain viable, ATFs must be allowed to recover these costs. The DVSA, to their credit, acknowledges and supports this case.
In seeking to balance affordability for vehicle operators with the need for ATFs to continue operating and investing, DVSA is proposing a gradual increase in service charges, broadly reflecting CPI since ATFOA's inception in 2013. The current and proposed maximum charges are set out in section five of the consultation.
Reflecting on this progress, we believe the proposed amounts are about right for now (question six), and that, provided DVSA commits to annual reviews of the service charges (question eight), we are recommending members should support these proposals.
We therefore encourage members to respond to the short consultation as above before the deadline of 11:59pm on Friday 21 November 2025.
In order to do things differently and affect the changes we're seeking, the ATFOA needs to allocate time to preparing materials and meeting with key politicians (including the government and opposition frontbenches as well as members of the Transport Committee and Road Freight & Logistics APPG), officials, and other stakeholders.
As we make progress, the ATFOA would like to keep members informed of our various activities by sharing regular updates via emails and our newsletter 'Word of Mouth'. We will also leverage our website and social media channels to promote our members. Please stay tuned for more information about future sponsorship opportunities.
In time, the ATFOA would like to invite stakeholders and members to our own targeted events and encourage networking opportunities. For now, we'll represent members at industry receptions, conferences, and shows such as the RHA parliamentary reception, ConservativeHome transport conference, and Commercial Vehicle Show.
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Our team caught up with industry colleagues at the annual Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) UK reception in Parliament.
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NEC, Birmingham
Our members attended the annual Commercial Vehicle Show.
NEC, Birmingham
Marylebone, London
Our team was represented at RHA's London event celebrating those who keep London supply chains moving.
Marylebone, London
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Our team marked National Apprenticeship Week.
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If you have a political or media question for the ATFOA or Stephen Smith, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our public affairs and PR consultant. For anything else however, do get in touch via the form below.
c/o Boleyn Recovery & Fleet Services, 77 River Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 0DS
Mon | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Tue | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Wed | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Thu | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Fri | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Copyright © 2013-2025. ATF Operators Association Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ATF Operators Association Ltd is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (number 11000201) operating under the trade nameS 'ATF OPERATORS ASSOCIATION' AND 'ATFOA'.
Main Photo courtesy of Musgrave Transport, an ATF based in East Yorkshire. To have your business profiled here and IN OUR NEWSLETTER, contact us. Find your nearest ATF.
MADE IN BRITAIN BY DO DIFFERENT.