MOT expiry dates are being pushed back for some cars, motorcycles, light vans, lorries, buses and trailers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles
MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020
For cars, vans and motorcycles with MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020, the MOT expiry date will be extended by six months.
The six-month extension will be automatically applied, meaning vehicle owners do to have to apply for the extension after 30 March.
For example, an MOT due to expire on 20 April 2020 will automatically be extended to 20 October 2020. You must have the vehicle tested before the new expiry date.
Drivers are being advised to check their MOT expiry and take note of the extended date, if it applies. There will be no paper notice sent out advising of the extension.
The Government’s online MOT history checker will be updated with the extended deadlines, which will allow you to tax your vehicle when due.
Vehicles due their first MOT on or after 30 March 2020 will also be extended from the date the first MOT was due.
MOTs due before 30 March 2020
If your MOT was due on or before 29 March 2020 and you have not had it tested yet, or it was tested, failed and needs a retest, what you need to do depends on your circumstances.
This applies to all vehicles, including those that need their first MOT test.
If you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus, you must not take your vehicle for its MOT. You must continue to self-isolate.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is working with insurers and the police to make sure drivers are not unfairly penalised for not being able to get an MOT while self-isolating.
If your vehicle tax is due to run out before you can get an MOT and you cannot get your vehicle tested because you’re self-isolating, you should register your vehicle as off the road (SORN).
You need to do this because you need a valid MOT (unless your vehicle is exempt) to renew your vehicle tax.
When you no longer need to self-isolate, you must not drive your vehicle before you take it to its MOT. You are advised to book your MOT test and if you had to register it as off the road, you should tax the vehicle once it has passed the MOT. Your MOT certificate will be issued online and not in paper form.
If you are extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, you must not take your vehicle for its MOT. DfT is working with insurers and the police to make sure you are not unfairly penalised for not being able to get an MOT while you’re being shielded.
Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN) if your MOT is due to run out (or already has), and you cannot get your vehicle tested because you’re being shielded.
You need to do this because you need a valid MOT (unless your vehicle is exempt) to renew your vehicle tax.
After the shielding period, you must not drive your vehicle before you take it to its MOT. Book the MOT test and then, if you had to register it as off the road, tax it online.
If none of the above apply and you continue to need your car for permissible use during the lockdown period, you should book your MOT test. The MOT certificate will be issued online.
Vehicles due their first MOT before 30 March 2020 and the vehicle did not pass, will not get an extension to the MOT due date.
MOTs for lorries, buses and trailers
Lorries, buses and trailers will also benefit from extensions to MOT expiry dates.
All lorry, bus or trailer MOT tests have been suspended until 21 June 2020 because of the coronavirus crisis.
Unlike cars, vans and motorcycles, however, you might need to apply for this, depending on your vehicle.
MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020
Most lorries, buses and trailers will have been issued a three-month exemption automatically, and you do not need to do anything. There will be no paper exemption certificate issued. You can check your vehicle’s MOT history using the Government’s online service to confirm the date of MOT expiry and extension.
If your tax is due, you can tax your vehicle straight away.
MOTs due before 30 March 2020
You need to apply for an exemption if the vehicle needs a first MOT before 31 March 2020, if the vehicle or trailer is returning to service where the test certificate expired before March 2020 or if a vehicle needs a dangerous goods (ADR) test before 31 March 2020.
You should email the DVSA if:
- your vehicle requires its first MOT before 31 March 2020 and you have not been able to have the vehicle tested;
- your vehicle or trailer test expires before March 2020 and you wish to bring it back into service and are unable to have it tested;
- your vehicle requires an ADR test before 31 March 2020; or
- your vehicle has not been issued an MOT exemption and your MOT expired in March.
Driving safety laws: reminder
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has also stressed that while MOT extensions are being applied, vehicles must continue to be kept ‘roadworthy’ during this time.
You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
MOT centres and garages are not subject to enforced closure and remain open for vehicles to be repaired and kept roadworthy.
Drivers must not drive a vehicle on the road if the MOT or vehicle tax has run out, or you could face prosecution.
The only exceptions are if you are driving to or from somewhere to be repaired or to a pre-arranged MOT test.
Vehicle owners are reminded of the lockdown rules and that people should only leave their homes to shop for basic necessities or medical supplies, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person and to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
