Most drivers will see an MOT as part and parcel of car ownership as it’s a legal requirement for the vast majority of vehicles in the UK.
It might seem a bit of a chore, but it’s there for good reason to make sure your car is fit for the road, and with no defects that compromise safety. It’s there for your benefit, as well as that of other road users.
But what happens if you forget about an MOT and are caught driving without a valid certificate? Let’s answer some key questions.
You can receive MOT reminders to make sure that you avoid any punishments for driving around without a valid certificate. Check your car's MOT status here.
When does my car need an MOT?
A car requires an MOT as soon as it’s three years since it was first registered. After this, an MOT is required annually on the anniversary of its last MOT.
Once a car reaches 40 years since it was first registered or built, it becomes MOT-exempt too. That said, if you own a new car or vehicle more than 40 years old, it’s paramount to keep on top of its maintenance.
What’s the earliest date you can get an MOT?
An MOT lasts for 12 months and the date it runs out is printed on the certificate. You can check when your car’s MOT runs out by entering your registration here, as well as seeing its previous history.
You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out to keep the same renewal date. For example, if the MOT runs out on August 28, you can get an MOT on July 27 and the expiry date won’t change.
You can get an MOT earlier than this, but it will alter the expiry date completely.
Am I allowed to drive my car to the garage without an MOT?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no ‘grace period’ when it comes to the expiry of a car’s MOT. As soon the certificate is out of date, even by a day, your vehicle is no longer road legal.
When an MOT is logged, it appears almost instantly on the DVSA’s database, and this information can be accessed by anyone – including Automatic Number Police Recognition (ANPR) cameras, such as those in police cars. These systems can easily flag when a vehicle does not have a current MOT.
The one and only exception is if you are driving to an MOT testing centre to have an MOT carried out, as long as there are no ‘major’ defects (therefore meaning a car would have failed its MOT) listed on the certificate.
How can I prove I booked a test?
If you know you need to drive a car to the MOT test centre once the MOT has expired, you will need to have proof of the booking in case you are stopped. You should have a confirmation of this, either on your phone or printed in the car.
You must also be taking the most direct route to the MOT station and should not take a detour or extended route.
What happens if I am caught without a valid MOT?
If you are caught driving without a valid MOT, and you are not on the way to the MOT garage, you risk penalties.
If you are caught with an invalid or expired MOT certificate, you could be fined up to £1,000, though in most cases – as long as you haven't offended previously – you will be given a £100 fixed penalty notice.
If you’re driving a car that failed its most recent MOT, the offence becomes more serious, however, and the fine could be increased to £2,500 as it will likely suggest a ‘dangerous’ fault with the vehicle.
If you are fined twice over a three-year period for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT, you may also receive a six-month driving ban.
How can I remember when my MOT is?
Life can get busy and things such as remembering MOT dates, especially if you have more than one car, can be easily forgotten.
This is no excuse, and will not wash if you are pulled over without a valid MOT, but it’s worth taking steps to help you remember. As soon as you get a new MOT, it’s worth logging the expiry date in your phone’s diary. Similarly, it’s worth setting up MOT reminders to make sure that you avoid any punishments for driving around with a valid certificate.
