LATEST NEWS REGARDING MOTS
Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles
Due before 30 March 2020
What to do if your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT due date is up to and including 29 March 2020.
What to do if your MOT runs out
If you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus
If your MOT runs out while you’re staying at home because you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus (self-isolation), you should book an MOT test after your period of self-isolation is over.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is working with insurers and the police to make sure you are not unfairly penalised for not being able to get an MOT.
If you are extremely vulnerable from coronavirus
You must not take your vehicle for its MOT if you’re extremely vulnerable from coronavirus.
DfT is working with insurers and the police to make sure you are not unfairly penalised for not being able to get an MOT.
If you’re not self-isolating
Book your MOT test at any open test centre if you’re not self-isolating.
MOT centres and garages are still allowed to stay open. If you’re not self-isolating or extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 you still need an MOT to make sure your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.
If your vehicle tax runs out while you’re self-isolating
You need a valid MOT (unless your vehicle is exempt) to renew your vehicle tax.
You should register your vehicle as off the road (SORN) if both:
- your MOT and vehicle tax are both due to run out
- you’re not able to get your vehicle tested because you’re self-isolating
When you no longer need to self-isolate
You must not drive your vehicle before you take it to its MOT.
- Book your MOT test.
- Tax your vehicle again once it has passed its MOT test.
Driving if your MOT has run out
You must not drive your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.
The only exceptions are if you are driving it:
- to or from somewhere to be repaired
- to a pre-arranged MOT test
Due from 30 March 2020
What will happen if your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT due date is on or after 30 March 2020, including what you need to do to keep your vehicle safe to drive.
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
From 30 March 2020, MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months. This is being done to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
What you need to do
You do not need to do anything to extend your vehicle’s MOT expiry date if it’s on or after 30 March 2020. However, you must keep your vehicle safe to drive.
Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption. This will extend your current MOT expiry date by 6 months.
Example
Your vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 April 2020.
This will automatically be extended to 3 October 2020. You will need to get your MOT by this date.
You can check your MOT history to see when you have been issued an exemption. It will not be updated straight away, so keep checking back if your new due date MOT is not yet showing.
You will not get a paper exemption certificate.
If your vehicle tax is due, you can tax your vehicle as soon as your MOT due date has been updated.
If your vehicle’s first MOT is due
Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption from the date its first MOT was due.
If your first MOT was due before 30 March 2020 and your vehicle did not pass
Your vehicle will not get an extension to its MOT due date.
Your vehicle will need to pass an MOT before you can drive it again.
The government is allowing MOT centres and garages to remain open. So you can still get an MOT if you need your vehicle:
- to shop for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- for any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home
Read the full guidance on staying at home and away from others.
Keep your vehicle safe to drive
You must make sure your vehicle is safe to drive (‘roadworthy’). It can be unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended.
Find out how to check your vehicle is safe and read the rules about vehicle maintenance, safety and security.
You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
You should still take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage. The government is allowing them to remain open.
25 March 2020