When is my MOT due?
Your MOT due date is determined by law. It falls three years after your vehicle’s first registration, and every twelve months after that.
Every car, van, and motorcycle registered for public road use in Great Britain must have its first MOT test when it reaches three years old. After that, the test is required once a year to confirm that the vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. The rule differs slightly in Northern Ireland, where the first test is due after four years, followed by annual renewals.
The due date appears on your MOT certificate and is stored digitally by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). If you have misplaced your paper copy, you can look up your MOT expiry date using the GOV.UK “Check MOT status” service. It displays both the expiry and your full MOT history. You can also register for free text or email reminders through the DVSA website to ensure you never miss your test.
For example, if your car was first registered on 10 April 2022, its first MOT would be due by 10 April 2025, and each year on that same date thereafter. You are allowed to take the test up to one month minus one day early, such as from 11 March 2025 in this case, while keeping the same renewal date.
In practice, the system makes compliance straightforward, but timing still matters. Garages often fill up quickly, especially during March and September when registration peaks. Booking in advance avoids the risk of driving without a valid certificate, which can affect both your insurance and your ability to tax the vehicle.
How to check when your MOT is due
You can check when your MOT is due using the free GOV.UK “Check MOT status” service, which instantly shows your vehicle’s expiry date and MOT history.
This government tool is the most reliable and up-to-date way to confirm when your next MOT test is required. All you need is your vehicle’s registration number. Once entered, the system retrieves data directly from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), displaying your current MOT status, the date of expiry, and any advisory notes from previous tests.
For drivers who prefer not to rely on paperwork, the online check replaces the need to keep physical certificates on hand. It’s particularly useful if you’ve recently bought a used car and want to verify that the MOT is genuine. The service also works for vans and motorcycles, provided they’re registered for road use.
If you want to receive reminders automatically, the DVSA offers a free text and email alert system. Signing up takes less than a minute and ensures you’ll be notified one month before your MOT is due. Many garages also offer similar reminder systems for returning customers, although they may not be as accurate as the official DVSA database.
The table below compares the most common ways to check your MOT due date and how reliable each option is.
| Method | How It Works | Accuracy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK “Check MOT status” | Enter your registration number to view expiry date and history | 100% accurate, linked to DVSA | All vehicles in Great Britain |
| DVSA reminder service | Free text or email alerts one month before expiry | Very high | Drivers who want automatic updates |
| Garage reminder systems | Based on your last booking or customer record | Moderate | Regular customers using the same garage |
| Paper MOT certificate | Expiry printed on your latest pass certificate | High (unless misplaced) | Those who prefer physical records |
Checking your MOT date regularly helps prevent lapses that could make your vehicle illegal to drive. It also provides peace of mind when buying or selling a car, since MOT status often reflects how well a vehicle has been maintained. Keeping track of it isn’t just compliance—it’s part of responsible ownership.
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Get QuotesWhen can you book your MOT early and why it matters?
You can book your MOT up to one month minus one day before it is due, allowing you to keep the same renewal date for the following year.
This small window is a useful detail many drivers overlook. Booking early does not shorten your certificate’s validity; instead, it gives you flexibility. For example, if your MOT expires on 20 July, you can take the test anytime from 21 June and still have your next MOT due on 20 July the following year. That extra time can make a real difference if appointments are limited or if repairs are needed before renewal.
Booking early is also a practical way to avoid the seasonal rush. Garages are busiest in March and September, when new registrations peak. Leaving it until the final week can mean struggling to find an appointment or, worse, missing the deadline completely.
For drivers managing more than one vehicle, such as small business owners or households with multiple cars, staggering MOT dates can make maintenance simpler and prevent all vehicles being off the road at the same time.
There is also a financial advantage. Testing early gives you breathing space to arrange repairs before the expiry date, helping you budget properly and avoid expensive last-minute fixes. If the vehicle passes, you carry on driving as normal. If it fails, you still have a valid certificate until the current one expires. It is a straightforward way to stay compliant without risking downtime or fines.
Booking early is not only convenient; it is a responsible habit that protects your safety, your finances, and your insurance validity. Treat it like any other renewal, and you will never find yourself caught out.
What happens if you miss the MOT due date?
If you miss your MOT due date, your vehicle becomes illegal to drive on public roads unless you’re travelling to a pre-booked test or repair appointment.
Once your MOT has expired, the vehicle is considered unroadworthy in the eyes of the law. You cannot drive it, park it on a public road, or renew your vehicle tax until it passes a new test. The only exception is if you are driving directly to a garage for a pre-booked MOT or for repairs following a failed test.
Driving without a valid MOT is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000, or £2,500 if the vehicle is deemed dangerous. You may also receive penalty points or face disqualification in severe cases. Police and DVSA officers use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras that flag expired MOTs instantly, so there’s little chance of going unnoticed.
The legal risk is only one part of the issue. Your car insurance providers are unlikely to cover any accident involving a vehicle without a valid MOT, even if it’s mechanically sound. This means you could be personally liable for damage, injuries, and third-party costs. The same applies if your tax renewal lapses, as you can’t tax a car without a valid MOT certificate.
For example, consider a driver whose MOT expired two weeks ago but who continues to use their vehicle for work. If they’re involved in an accident—even one that isn’t their fault—their insurer may refuse the claim. What begins as a small oversight quickly becomes an expensive legal and financial problem.
If your MOT has expired, the best action is to stop driving immediately and arrange a test as soon as possible. Many garages will collect your vehicle for testing if you can’t drive it legally yourself. It’s a small inconvenience that avoids much bigger consequences.
Do changes to your vehicle or registration affect the due date?
Changes to your vehicle or registration, such as private plates or new ownership, do not affect the MOT due date because it’s tied to the vehicle record, not the owner or registration number.
Every vehicle’s MOT schedule is recorded on the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) database using its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This means that even if you change your number plate, move house, or sell the car, the due date remains exactly the same. The system is designed this way to prevent confusion and ensure that a vehicle’s safety record stays consistent throughout its lifespan.
When a car changes hands, the new owner automatically inherits the existing MOT expiry date. It’s the same for vehicles that have had their number plate changed to a private registration—the new plate is linked to the same DVSA record. For example, if a car’s MOT expires on 12 December, that date will remain the expiry regardless of whether it’s sold or re-registered under a different plate.
There are, however, a few limited exceptions worth knowing. If a vehicle is reclassified—for instance, converted into a historic vehicle over forty years old and exempt from annual MOTs—the requirement can change. Similarly, a vehicle imported from outside the UK may have its MOT cycle adjusted after its first UK registration to align with local regulations. These cases are uncommon but handled directly by the DVSA or DVLA during registration.
For peace of mind, you can confirm your MOT due date after any ownership or registration change using the free GOV.UK “Check MOT status” service. It’s the fastest way to ensure records have transferred correctly and that no administrative errors have affected your vehicle’s MOT record.
Final thoughts
Knowing when your MOT is due is more than a legal detail. It’s part of being a responsible vehicle owner. The test exists to keep unsafe or polluting vehicles off the road, but for most drivers it’s also a reminder to stay organised, plan ahead, and maintain peace of mind.
The process is intentionally straightforward. Whether you check online, use reminders, or book your test early, the system is designed to make compliance simple. Problems arise when people leave it to the last minute. Missing your due date can mean fines, invalid insurance, and time off the road, but these outcomes are entirely avoidable with a few minutes of planning.
For anyone managing more than one vehicle, setting up DVSA reminders or booking tests well in advance can remove unnecessary stress. If you own a business fleet, keeping a shared MOT log helps ensure all vehicles remain compliant year-round. And if you drive infrequently, signing up for notifications or storing the due date in your calendar prevents it from slipping your mind.
Ultimately, the MOT should not be seen as an obstacle but as a safeguard. It protects you, your passengers, and other road users. Treat it with the same importance as your insurance renewal or road tax. Staying ahead of your MOT due date is one of the simplest ways to keep your vehicle safe, legal, and dependable every day you drive it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can find out your MOT due date using the official GOV.UK “Check MOT status” tool. Enter your vehicle registration number to see the expiry date, past results, and any advisory notes.
You can only drive on the day your MOT expires if you’re going to a pre-booked test or garage for repairs. Any other journey after the expiry is illegal and can invalidate your insurance.
No. Changing your registration or adding a private plate does not affect your MOT date. The due date is linked to your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), not your registration plate.
Yes. You can sign up for free text or email reminders through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website. These notifications are sent one month before your MOT expiry date.
No. A failed MOT doesn’t reset or extend your due date. Once your vehicle passes, the renewal date remains the same as it was before the failure.
If you book your MOT more than one month minus a day before it’s due, the new certificate starts from the test date, not the old expiry date, effectively moving your renewal date earlier each year.
You can check a used car’s MOT status and history for free on GOV.UK. It’s an easy way to verify whether the seller’s claims about the MOT are accurate and when the next test is due.
No. The MOT due date stays the same after a vehicle is sold. The new owner inherits the existing MOT certificate and expiry date as recorded by the DVSA.