Due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation, cars and vans and motorcycles due their MOT from 30 March 2020 will have their MOT extended by 6 months.
This will allow vehicle owners to continue to be able to get to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home or do essential shopping.
Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition and drivers can be prosecuted if they drive an unsafe vehicle.
The government have published the following guidelines for the public:
What to do if your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry date was on or before 29 March 2020
If your vehicle’s MOT expired on or before 29 March 2020, you must book an MOT as usual unless either:
You must stay at home (self-isolate) if either of these situations apply - do not take your vehicle for its MOT.
Your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry date will be extended by 6 months if it’s due on or after 30 March 2020 - but you must keep your vehicle safe to drive.
Your MOT certificate will be extended by 6 months if it was due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 and your vehicle is a:
This includes these types of vehicles that are due their first ever MOT test.
Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be automatically extended by 6 months if it’s eligible. This will be done just before it’s due to expire.
This means that:
Your vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 May 2020.
This will automatically be extended to 3 November 2020. You will need to get your MOT by this date.
Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will only be updated a few days before it was originally due to expire.
You need to include these details in the email:
You cannot renew your vehicle tax until your MOT expiry date has been extended. It will be extended a few days before it was originally due to expire.
This means you might need to wait until later in April to tax your vehicle.
Check that the MOT expiry date has been extended before you tax your vehicle.
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:
Take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage if it’s unsafe. Car garages are allowed to stay open during the coronavirus outbreak.