Vehicle owners will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing due to the coronavirus crisis, the Department for Transport has announced.

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from 30 March. Vehicles must still be kept in a roadworthy condition and garages will remain open for essential repair work.   Drivers can still be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles.

“We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID-19 are able to do so,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.  “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.

“Legislation was 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 will not be negatively affected as a result of things that are out of their control.”

Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses and coaches have been suspended for up to three months.