MOT Six Month Exemption

If your MOT is about to run out, don’t worry – MOT expiry dates have been extended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

To help drivers during the pandemic, the government has introduced a six-month temporary exemption for anyone whose MOT expires on or after March 30 2020.

That means, that if, for instance, your MOT certificate expired on April 2 2020, you now have until October 2 2020 to take your car to an MOT test centre.

You don’t have to do anything to activate the exemption. Your extension will happen automatically –  you just need to make sure that your vehicle has its MOT before your new expiry date. 

The exemption applies to all cars, motorcycles and light vans, including vehicles which are due to have their first MOT.  If you had your car from new, and you’ve been leasing it, or have owned it for nearly three years, it might have slipped your mind that the third anniversary of its registration is fast approaching. 

It is still up to motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, despite the MOT extension. You can get a driving ban, be fined up to £2,500 and receive three points on your licence if your vehicle isn’t safe to drive.

Dealerships are closed, but some garages and auto repair centres are remaining open throughout the pandemic to carry out emergency repairs and services.  You shouldn’t be booking in your car for any non-essential work while we’re in lockdown.

The six-month extension will ensure that frontline NHS staff, as well as key workers such as drivers delivering vital supplies, can keep their vehicles on the road. It will also mean people will still be able to use their cars for essential travel, such as shopping for food and collecting medication.

The exemption will be particularly welcomed by those drivers whose MOTs are now due but who cannot leave the house because they are self-isolating.

Garages don’t have to stay open during the pandemic, but those that are, are advised to follow strict government guidelines on social distancing to minimise contact between employees and customers. 

Measures to prevent transmission of coronavirus include reminding staff and customers to wash their hands and making sure hand sanitiser is readily available. Garage staff should also be using car seat covers and disposable gloves when coming into contact with any surfaces that are regularly touched.

Some sites have removed coffee machines from waiting areas, to protect personal space, and many do not currently require customers to sign paperwork or provide digital signatures. In line with the guidance, they are taking all payments by card and not accepting cash.

To further reduce the need to visit a garage during the current crisis, some centres have introduced collection and delivery and online booking services.  Others are running mobile services for essential maintenance, such as fitting replacement tyres.

Under normal circumstances, you can be fined £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.  It is always worth checking when your MOT expires so you can book a test in good time. To sign up for a MOT reminder go to www.gov.uk/mot-reminder.  You’ll receive a text or email a month before your next MOT is due.