From Monday MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months

It has been announced that from the 30th MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months.

As with many areas of the response to the pandemic there is new guidance appearing daily. Today there has been an update on MOTs, stating: “From 30 March 2020, MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months. This is being done to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.”

There’s separate guidance about what to do if your MOT due date is up to and including 29 March 2020.

You do not need to do anything to extend your vehicle’s MOT expiry date if it’s on or after 30 March 2020. However, you must keep your vehicle safe to drive – with details on what that means here.

Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption. This will extend your current MOT expiry date by 6 months.

However, if you can’t get an MOT that’s due because you’re in self-isolation, @transportgovuk is working with insurers and the police to ensure you’re not unfairly penalised for things out of your control.

— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) March 25, 2020

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 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 to get essential food and medicine.

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

The full new guidance can be found here and is in an easy to read format.

Legislation will be introduced on March 30 and will come into immediate effect for 12 months, following a short consultation with key organisations.