6 Month Exemption From MOT Testing During the Pandemic

Owners of vehicles are to be granted a 6 month exemption from MOT testing, the Department for Transport has announced this morning. However, vehicles must be 'kept in a roadworthy condition' and those found with unsafe motors can be prosecuted with 3 penalty points, banned from driving and be fined £2,500. 

This new exemption will enable drivers to continue to travel to work where this absolutely necessary cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities.

That means that if you have an MOT due from 30 March 2020, the next test date will be extended by 6 months. This will be in place for the next 12 months.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'We must ensure those on the front line of helping the nation combat Covid-19 are able to do so.

'Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, front line workers to get to work, and people get essential food and medicine.'

Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.

Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work,' the statement says. 'Drivers can be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles, it adds. 

The Department for Transport says it is liaising with the police and insurers to 'ensure people aren't unfairly penalised for things out of their control.

Practical driving tests and testing for lorries, buses and coaches have also been suspended for up to a possible 3 months.