Earlier this year, the government announced a six-month extension on MOT testing. The extension was put in place to keep key workers on the road while garages and other businesses were closed or operating under restrictions. It does NOT mean that people can drive with a vehicle that is unsafe or which has failed its MOT. Here’s what you need to know.
Covid-19 extension
If your MOT expired on or before March 29th 2020, you will be expected to have renewed your certificate. However, there are some exceptions:
- If you or someone in your household had Covid symptoms
- If you’re vulnerable and shielding
MOT Due 30th March – 31st July
If your MOT expired on or after 30th March, you don’t need to get your certificate for another six months; be aware that if you fall in the March/ April category, you will need to book your test for late September/ early October. If the extension applies to you, you will still be able to tax and insure your vehicle.
This rule doesn’t mean that you can drive any car in any condition; if it is deemed unroadworthy or a danger to others, you can still be fined up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points.
MOT due on or after 01.08.2020
If your MOT was due on or after 1st August, you must renew it as normal. If your renewal date is coming up, book it as soon as possible – you can book your MOT up to a month minus a day before your current MOT expires (e.g. if it is due on 9th September, you can book your MOT for 10th August).
Exceptions
Regardless of when your MOT certificate is due to expire, you mustn’t take it to your local garage if:
- You or a member of your household has coronavirus symptoms
- You have been informed that you have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus
- You have been on holiday to a country that is not on the exemption list for quarantine
- If you are shielding in Wales up to 16th August 2020 (shielding in England and Scotland has been paused).
If you are shielding in Wales, you may be able to find a local test centre that will collect your car, test it and return it, contact-free; contact a reviewed MOT test centre near you to see if they offer that service.
If you can’t take your vehicle for its MOT test and you are not exempt, your insurance is invalid. You are therefore not legally permitted to drive it, other than to your local garage for the test. If this is the case and you won’t be using your vehicle for a while, you can declare it off the road via SORN.
The safety of you, your passengers and other road users is essential. Don’t treat the MOT extension as a “holiday” – get your MOT test done as soon as you can to avoid putting you and others in danger. For more advice on keeping your vehicle safe on the road, or to find reliable garages near you, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.