You can book a lorry, bus or trailer annual test (MOT) from 4 July 2020 - the deadline to get the test done depends on when the MOT was originally due.
Contents
- Stay up to date
- How the exemption works
- What you need to do
- What to do if you have not had an exemption
Lorries, buses and trailers have been given 3-month exemptions from needing an MOT, as tests were suspended because of coronavirus. This means that the deadline to get your MOT has changed.
You can now book a lorry, bus or trailer MOT to take place from 4 July 2020 when tests restart. The deadline to get the test done depends on when the MOT was originally due.
There are different arrangements for car, motorcycle and light vans MOTs.
How the exemption works
Your lorry, bus or trailer will automatically get a 3-month MOT exemption from the date it was originally due.
Vehicles and trailers originally due an MOT:
- in March or April 2020 have been given two 3-month exemptions
- in May, June, July or August 2020 will only get one 3-month exemption
You will not get a paper exemption certificate.
What you need to do
The table shows the date your vehicle must pass its MOT by, based on when it was originally due.
| Month MOT was originally due | Date your vehicle must pass its MOT by | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | 30 September 2020 | Your vehicle has been given two 3-month exemptions |
| April 2020 | 31 October 2020 | Your vehicle has been given two 3-month exemptions |
| May 2020 | 31 August 2020 | Your vehicle will get one 3-month exemption |
| June 2020 | 30 September 2020 | Your vehicle will get one 3-month exemption |
| July 2020 | 31 October 2020 | Your vehicle will get one 3-month exemption |
| August 2020 | 30 November 2020 | Your vehicle will get one 3-month exemption |
You can check your vehicle or trailer’s MOT history to see when the exemption has been applied. This will be usually be done at the start of the month the MOT was originally due to expire in.
If your vehicle tax is due
You can tax your vehicle straight away if your vehicle tax is due. The MOT exemption will allow you to tax your vehicle.
Transporting dangerous goods
If you have been issued a 3-month MOT exemption, and you do not get your vehicle tested you must apply for a waiver to continue transporting dangerous goods.
What to do if you have not had an exemption
Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if your lorry, bus or trailer did not get an MOT exemption and your MOT expired.
You need to include your:
- name
- phone number
- address
- vehicle registration number (number plate), vehicle identification number or trailer ID
- test expiry date
Test exemption error
[email protected]
Make sure your email has the subject heading ‘Test exemption error’.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published 20 March 2020
Last updated 19 June 2020
Updated page to show that lorry, bus or trailer annual tests (MOTs) will restart from 4 July 2020 but vehicles in June, July and August will be issued 3-month exemptions.
Removed the section on what to do if your vehicle is a 'PSV with an MOT that expires in March 2020'. These have now had their MOT due date extended by 3-months and no longer need to apply for an exemption. Made it clear that you can tax your vehicle immediately if your MOT exemption has been issued.
First published.
