How to navigate live documents like a pro

Live documents give MOT testers the latest information on even the most complex vehicle presentations. Here’s how to get the most out of the system

Historically, the MOT Guide and Manuals were issued in paper format, and it was the responsibility of the vehicle test station to receive and insert replacement pages as and when directed. You could probably file that task under T for “tedious”.

Thankfully, things have changed. Information is now sent electronically through the government website and is available as a live document. You may have heard documents like these being referred to as “living”, “evergreen” or “dynamic”, but whichever term you use, it simply means that the document can be continuously maintained without the user needing to take any action.

Even so, while you may not need to pull papers apart to keep your files up to date, you still need to understand how live documents work, and how to search within them.

This year’s annual assessment for MOT testers was structured so that answers had to be found in the live system and not simply recounted from memory.

So, rather than just testing someone’s mechanical knowledge, the assessment required them to prove they could navigate the live documents to find relevant information.

It’s a definite step change, but it’s one that should be welcomed. The assessment has always been an open-book affair, but previous online tests did allow testers to fall back on retained knowledge. Moving forward, understanding what a live document is and how to use one will keep testers on the right side of the standard and will enable them to access the latest information quickly and efficiently, ready for when more complex vehicle presentations arrive in the test centre.

Four top tips to make using live documents simple

1. Screen real estate helps

Rather than squinting at a tiny screen, use either a large screen or a dual screen set-up to aid the search for information. Other hardware solutions such as using a tablet to input results plus a desk- or wall-based screen can also work well. The latter solution can be linked too, enabling drag and drop between the devices, or you can simply navigate them as standalone solutions – whichever works for you.

2. Keep your windows and tabs under control

Keeping the relevant information open on screen is well within the functionality of even the most basic computers and laptops, particularly as the MOT Guides and Manuals are available without logging in. Try not to overcrowd your screens with unnecessary tabs, and remember that if you’ve downloaded the PDF of the Guide, bin it at the end of the day and refer to the live document instead.

3. Master your keyboard shortcuts

“Ctrl + F” was definitely a revelation for some at the last assessment. Who’d have thought the search shortcut could be so helpful? Those who carried out the IMI’s online training would remember this hack, and the hyperlinks within the test data entry are also useful for directing you to the relevant MOT Manual information. Using keyboard shortcuts specific to your operating system (Windows, Android, Mac, etc.) will also speed up flicking through tabs if you are short on screen space.

4. Try a training test

Within the tester’s portal, there is a “training test” function, which offers a safe space to explore the Manual using the search function. It’s ideal for when you’re just dealing with a query rather than carrying out a test.

It’s also an impressively intuitive system thanks to the work behind the scenes creating metadata. Metadata is simply data about other data, and it’s responsible for handy things like the system recognising common misspellings or alternative terms such as “CV boot” or “constant velocity joint gaiter”. One frustration of “Ctrl + F” is that the search function requires an exact match.

Find out more about the IMI’s MOT training and assessment options

This is an edited extract from IMI's new MotorPro magazine, received free as part of IMI membership. Time to find out more about becoming a member of the most influential community in UK automotive…?