UK Cars Have Been Given A Six-Month MOT Exemption
The laws surrounding the UK’s MOT procedure have been given an significant tweak. As the country battles the Coronavirus pandemic, the Department for Transport has announced changes to the rules.
If your car is due an MOT from 30 March 2020 onward, it’ll be granted a six-month extension. The legislation will come into effect on for 12 months “following a short consultation with key organisations,” DfT says.
The idea is anyone who needs to be on the road under the UK’s lockdown conditions can continue driving legally without having to visit an MOT testing station - risking the further spread of Covid-19.
Speaking about the move, 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 get essential food and medicine.
“Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.”
The DfT has also said that it is “working with insurers and the police” so that penalties for lapsed MOTs due before 30 March are avoided for anyone self-isolating. Meanwhile, the government branch has also scrapped driving tests along with annual lorry, bus, and coach tests for three months.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Good news! Meanwhile in SEA countries, we still have to pay for our MOT and car loans regardless of Covid 19… Sigh
In the current situation it was the correct thing to do with this Corvid-19 outbreak happening now
I hope they’ll also do this in Holland, mine is due in May, and I still have some things to mend
That’s unlikely. We don’t have a real “lockdown” yet, so there’s no actual reason to do this.
In the UK, people aren’t allow to go outside without good reason. In the Netherlands, there’s no reason not to get an MOT (APK).
A lot of garages will be forced to shut because of the ruling.