Forgot Your MOT? Here’s What to Do Next
Realised your MOT has expired? If you’ve forgotten to renew your MOT, it’s important to know what you can and cannot do next. In most cases, you cannot legally drive or park your vehicle on a public road without a valid MOT, with limited exceptions such as travelling to a pre-arranged MOT test.
Forgotten your MOT?
The good news is that getting back on the road is usually straightforward. You can check your current MOT status, find a local MOT test centre and arrange a test as soon as possible. Here’s what you need to know if you’ve forgotten your MOT.
Who needs an MOT?
Most vehicles in the UK need an MOT once they reach three years old, followed by a new MOT test every year. There are some exceptions, including certain historic vehicles.
You can have your MOT carried out up to one month (minus a day) before your current certificate expires and keep the same renewal date. Booking early gives you extra time to arrange any repairs if your vehicle fails its test, without risking your existing MOT expiring.
If you're unsure when your MOT is due, you can quickly check your vehicle's current MOT status and expiry date using our free MOT checker.
Also read: Can I drive with an expired MOT?
How do I check if my MOT has expired?
If you've forgotten when your MOT is due, the first thing to do is check your vehicle's current MOT status.
Simply enter your vehicle registration number into our free MOT checker to see when your current MOT expires — or whether it has already expired.
Knowing your exact expiry date will help you understand what you need to do next.
Check your MOT Status
What happens if I forget to renew my MOT?
If your MOT has expired, you should arrange a new MOT test as soon as possible.
In most circumstances, you cannot legally drive your vehicle on a public road without a valid MOT. Driving without one could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
You should also be aware that driving a vehicle without a valid MOT could affect your insurance, depending on your policy and the circumstances. Your vehicle must always be in a roadworthy condition, regardless of whether it has a valid MOT certificate.
Can I drive if my MOT has expired?
Generally, no. Once your MOT has expired, you cannot simply continue using your vehicle as normal.
There are limited exceptions. You can drive a vehicle with an expired MOT to a pre-arranged MOT test. You may also be able to drive it to or from somewhere to have repairs carried out following an MOT test.
The key point is that the MOT appointment must be booked in advance, and your vehicle must still be roadworthy.
You cannot use an MOT appointment as a reason to make other journeys. For example, you shouldn't drive to the shops, work or visit someone simply because you have an MOT booked later that day.
Also read: Can I drive with an expired MOT?
What should I do if I've forgotten my MOT?
If you've just discovered that your MOT has expired, don't panic. There are a few simple steps you can take:
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Stop using the vehicle for normal journeys until it has a valid MOT.
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Check your MOT status to confirm when your previous MOT expired.
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Book an MOT test with an approved MOT test centre as soon as possible.
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Only drive to a pre-arranged MOT appointment while your MOT is expired, and only if the vehicle is roadworthy.
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Check your vehicle tax while you're at it to make sure everything else is up to date.
Once your vehicle has passed its MOT, you can get back on the road as normal, provided it is also properly taxed and insured.
Can I tax my car if the MOT has expired?
In most cases, your vehicle needs a valid MOT before you can renew its vehicle tax.
If you've forgotten your MOT renewal, it's therefore worth checking both your MOT and road tax status. If both have expired, you'll usually need to arrange and pass the MOT before you can tax the vehicle again.
Remember that an untaxed vehicle generally needs to be kept off public roads unless an exemption applies.
How can I avoid forgetting my MOT again?
An MOT only comes around once a year, so it's surprisingly easy for the renewal date to slip your mind — particularly if you've changed your car or your usual MOT date has changed.
MOTRemind.Me can send you a free email reminder before your next MOT is due, giving you plenty of time to find a garage and book your test.
Setting up a reminder only takes a moment and could save you from accidentally driving with an expired MOT next year.
Create a free MOT reminder for next year
We offer free MOT email reminders so you will have plenty of time to book your vehicle's MOT.