Vehicle owners will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT
testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this
absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities.
All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an
MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from 30 March.
Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages
will remain open for essential repair work. Drivers can be
prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles. Advice on keeping a
vehicle in a good condition can be found here.
People should stay at home and avoid travel. The only reasons
people should leave their homes is set out in the government guidance.
Transport Secretary said:
“We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation
combat COVID19 are able to do so.
“Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will
enable vital services such as deliveries to continue,
frontline 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.”
Legislation will be introduced on March 30 and will come into
immediate effect for 12 months, following a short consultation
with key organisations. Drivers will still need to get their
vehicle tested until the new regulations come into place, if
they need to use it.
If you can’t get an MoT that’s due because you’re in
self-isolation, the Department for Transport is working with
insurers and the police to ensure people aren’t unfairly
penalised for things out of their control.
Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses
and coaches have been suspended for up to three months.
Notes to editors
Drafting new laws takes time and, while we are acting as
quickly as possible, we must ensure regulations are legally
sound before coming into force.
Drivers with an expiring MoT before Monday, who need to use
their vehicle, will need to get their vehicle tested to stay
legal on the road.
Drivers must not take their vehicle for an MOT test if they’re
having to stay at home because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
symptoms (self-isolation).
All drivers should follow advice on
staying at home and away from others and keep at least 2 metres
from customers and members of staff at all times
DVSA will update vehicle MoT details a week before the test is
due.
