A reminder that MOT expiry dates are being extended by 6 months for all MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020. This includes vehicles that are due their first ever MOT test and applies to cars, motorcycles, light vans and other light vehicles.

The MOT expiry date will be automatically extended approximately 7 days before it’s due to expire. Your vehicle tax remains due as normal. You cannot renew your vehicle tax until your MOT expiry date has been extended. This means you might need to wait until later in the month to tax your vehicle after your MOT has been extended.

It is very important to remember that vehicles must be kept roadworthy even if an MOT date has been extended. Unsafe vehicles should be taken to an open garage for repair. There are different rules for those with MOT expiry dates on or before 29 March 2020 as the law only changed on 30 March 2020.

The Department for Transport is working with insurers and the police to make sure people are not unfairly penalised for not being able to organise an MOT. If you are not using your car, you can also register your vehicle as off the road by obtaining a statutory off-road notification (SORN). This will see any remaining full months of tax refunded and you could also look into cancelling your car insurance (with a SORN).