Commercial Van Fleet MOT exemption

As the UK continues to attempt to adapt to life under lockdown to prevent transmission of COVID-19, the government has confirmed that all cars and vans have been granted a six-month MOT exemption.

The legislation is set to be introduced on the 30th March 2020 and will come into immediate effect for 12 months to implement the new measure; however, vehicle owners will still need to get their vehicle tested until the new regulations come into place if they need to use it.

Highlighting that the move has been introduced to ensure people and businesses can carry on with essential travel and providing essential services, the government has stressed that the advice to stay home and limit any social contact wherever possible still stands.

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID-19 are able to do so.

“Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people to get essential food and medicine.

Importantly, companies must ensure that their vehicles are kept in a roadworthy condition, with the government stating that those operating unsafe vehicles can face prosecution.

“Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work,” added Shapps.

In addition, the Department for Transport says that those that can’t get an MOT that is due before the exemption because of self-isolation will be protected.

Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses and coaches have also been suspended for up to three months.

For companies and particularly retailers in the sector with several vehicles in their fleet, the announcement will come as a welcome relief during the lockdown which has seen demand and sales plummet.

Discover more support available for businesses in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak:

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