Excitement is growing as the opening of the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills draws near. We are looking forward to being a part of the new MOT tester training pilot, and following its completion we’ll be ramping up delivery of the course to a weekly basis. We will start taking bookings in May, but you can put your tester forward now on 0845 305 4230.

We will be writing to you shortly with more information about the courses available at the RMI Academy and its future after the pilot.

On the lobbying front, I will be meeting with Rory Stewart, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, this month to discuss the industry’s concerns over retaining the exemption for Small Waste Oil Burners (SWOBS). We would like to get this change in regulation reversed so independents don’t have to face the unacceptable new fees.

I will also be meeting with Scottish Minister Drew Henry to discuss 4 year MOTs and gain the support of the Scottish Parliament, and will be meeting Baroness Crawley, Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) President, who will formally hand over our Trust My Garage Code Approval certificate.

If you are a TMG member you should now be displaying the CTSI logo on your website and across your business documentation where possible. See our bulletin article for a reminder of how to make the most of the approval and stay compliant with CTSI’s brand guidelines.

You can keep up with the latest news in legislation, technology, member benefits, DVSA training and more at the member events throughout the year. Tickets for the first four events of 2016 are now available to book in the bulletin below, so don’t miss the first opportunity of the year to get up-to-date news directly from us.

Please keep in touch with us through the member helpline with your news, comments and questions on 0845 305 4230.