Compulsory MOT testing for cars, vans, and motorcycles is to be reintroduced in England, Scotland, and Wales on August 1st 2020 as coronavirus restrictions continue to be lifted, the Government confirmed. But why was testing suspended in the first place, why is it being reintroduced soon, and what does it mean for your vehicle?

Mandatory MOT testing was suspended at the start of lockdown to minimise the spread of coronavirus. The policy therefore reduces the number of drivers, mechanics, and support staff that have to interact in person. Furthermore, it makes it easier to keep vehicles on the road legally which is handy at a time of national crisis. This helps doctors and nurses travel to work, for instance.

However, it appears that coronavirus is becoming a less serious threat. The Government is therefore becoming less focussed on keeping drivers, mechanics, and support staff separate and more on ensuring vehicles are roadworthy. Compulsory MOT testing is therefore being reintroduced in the near future. What this means for your vehicle depends when your current MOT certificate expires.

March 30th 2020 to July 31st 2020

If your vehicle’s MOT expires between March 30th and July 31st 2020, you still have an automatic 6 month extension. For example, July 5th 2020 is extended to January 5th 2021. However, you do not have to wait until the end of your coronavirus extension to have your vehicle checked. If you prefer, it can be done on any earlier date.

Also, irrespective of any extension it is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. If not, you might be prosecuted.

August 1st 2020 onward

If your MOT expires on/after August 1st 2020 throughout England, Scotland, and Wales there is no extension for your vehicle. Simply have it assessed according to its normal, pre-coronavirus schedule.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: ‘As people return to our roads, it is vital motorists are able to keep their vehicles safe. That is why, as restrictions are eased, from August 1st MOT testing will again be  mandatory. Garages across the country are open and I urge drivers who are due for their MOT to book a test as soon they can.’

The Government added further context. It said ‘only some garages remained open’ at the peak of the outbreak for ‘essential services’. However, 90% are now open and MOT testing capacity is 70%. These figures are ‘steadily increasing’. Also, if you still have to self-isolate some garages will collect and return your car.

Fire brigade bosses have rubbished claims that bottles of hand sanitiser could catch fire if they are left in hot cars.

The National Fire Chiefs Council confirmed that “hand sanitiser kept in cars do not pose a fire risk”, after NHS bosses issued a warning to staff.

The internal memo from NHS Property Services claimed it had received a “number of reports of hand sanitiser being the cause of fires when left in vehicles in the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing”.

It told workers that the current heatwave could mean alcohol-based gels reach their “flash point”, which would see them burst into flames when the vapour in them comes into contact with hot air.

Demand for hand sanitiser has sky-rocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, which caused major concern about potential fires.

But after the warning was shared widely online, NHS bosses have now clarified hand sanitiser cannot ignite on its own and would need a spark to be set alight.

An NHS Property Services spokesman told Sky News the alarm was raised by union safety officers who had heard about hand sanitiser car fires in the US.

The average UK car is driven more than 7,000 miles per year – or an average of 583 miles per month, according to MOT data.

But a survey of 2,000 motorists  has revealed that over the past 28 days the average driver has covered just 90 miles – with 30 per cent driving 25 miles or fewer. With so few driving, 18 per cent have struggled to get back to normal behind the wheel of a car.

Of those who have found it difficult getting used to being back on the road, 28 per cent had stalled their car, 21 per cent had scraped their wheels on the kerb and more than one in five have forgotten to indicate.

Young woman with hands on eyes sitting depressed in car

• • Drivers with photocard licences due to expire between 1 February and 31 August 2020 have been granted an extension
  • Licences are automatically extended by seven months from the date of expiry 
  • Impacted motorists will be sent reminders ahead of their new renewal date
  • It only applies to photocard renewals that expire after 10 years
  • If a driver’s entitlement to drive is due to expire or they have lost or had their licence stolen, they will need to apply for new ones online.

Drivers with a pink plastic photocard driving licence that’s due to expire will be granted a seven-month extension, the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency has confirmed today.

Those with photocards expiring between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 will automatically have their licence renewals extended from the date of expiry and can now carry on driving safe in the knowledge they’re still legal.  The move comes as the government agency has been struggling to process requests during the pandemic, stating on its website: ‘It’s taking longer than usual to process driving licence applications because of coronavirus.’

Normally drivers are required to renew their photocard licence every 10 years, and bus and lorry drivers every five years. However, lockdown has slowed the DVLA’s capacity to process applications from motorists as – like many businesses – its workforce is mainly operating remotely from home.

It had previous warned drivers in April that those using its services should expect ‘significant delays’ during the coronavirus crisis.

The extension has been granted thanks to new EU regulation which means photocards that expire between 1 February and 31 August 2020 will be automatically extended for a further seven months from the date of expiry. To ensure motorists don’t forget, they will be sent a reminder to renew before their seven month extension ends.

The extension only applies to photocard renewals after 10 years when a new photo of the driver is required – with renewals costing £14 online, £17 by post or £21 at the Post Office (or free if you’re over 70 years old).  The DVLA’s online services to renew a driving licence entitlement or replace lost or stolen photocards will continue to operate as normal, it has confirmed.

This will also be the case for learners who could soon pass their driving test and be eligible for a full licence after tests were cancelled for three months from 20 March due to the virus.

However, with tests – in theory – able to restart on 20 June, driving instructors have said there has been no clear guidance or instruction about when they can return to work safely.

Julie Lennard, chief executive at the agency, said: ‘This extension will make it easier for drivers who need to update their photocard licence with a new photograph.

‘This means as long as they have a valid licence, drivers will be able to continue to make essential journeys.’The extension is automatic so drivers do not need to do anything and will be sent a reminder to renew their photocard before the extension ends.’

This change will be introduced from 4 June 2020.

This is Money has received emails from readers concerned that they have already applied for a licence renewal via post, having sent their expiring licence to the DVLA head office in Swansea though not had it returned.Failure to update a driving licence can result in a fine of £1,000 and up to six penalty points on a licence.

We asked a DLVA spokesman to clarify what this would mean for these individuals.

‘The seven month extension will apply whilst we process any paper applications,’ they said.

‘Providing their entitlement to drive is still valid, drivers with a seven-month extension period will not be committing an offence.’

Commenting on the extension, RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: ‘Given the restrictions in place presently, a temporary extension to renewing a photocard licence due to expire seems like a sensible step which will have very few negative consequences and is likely to be welcomed by those drivers affected.’

The extension follows the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) decision to introduce an MOT test exemption for six months at the end of March to prevent motorists having to drive their cars during lockdown.