NI MOT tests suspended

abc

wander44 said:

my car is due it's first MOT (4 years old),went on ten days ago and booked test for 29th May in Larne. appointment came in post to confirm !  Does anyone know if the test centre in Larne is still working ?

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-motoring

"On 24 March 2020, in the interest of public safety and to tackle the spread of COVID-19, the DVA suspended all vehicle testing at DVA test centres for three months, until 22 June 2020."

"Since vehicle testing was suspended, vehicles with a test appointment have been issued with a Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC), to ensure that they may continue to be driven legally on the road."

"From 11 May, TECs will be automatically generated from DVA’s system for all eligible vehicles without any action needed to be taken by the vehicle owner."

"This means all eligible vehicles will be provided with one year’s cover from their MOT expiry date in 2020, meaning their new MOT expiry date will be pushed forward into 2021, when there will be capacity to test them.

Due to legislative requirements TECs are applied by DVA on a phased basis, for different durations based on vehicle type. However, where relevant, the DVA will automatically apply further exemptions to ensure the full 12 months are covered.  The exceptions are 4 year old cars and motorbikes, which for legislative reasons will only receive a 6 month TEC from the date their first test was due."

ballyblack

All vehicle testing suspended 

On 24 March 2020, in the interest of public safety and to tackle the spread of COVID-19, the DVA suspended all vehicle testing at DVA test centres for three months, until 22 June 2020. 

This position is being kept under review and when public health advice is revised, and restrictions eased, vehicle testing services will resume when it is safe to do so.

wander44

Many thanks for that, although at the same time that I booked my MOT (4 year old car, hence exempt), I also booked an MOT for my sister's car (7 years old).  Paid the fee for both cars. Two days later threw the post came the written appointments, but also in the same post came an extension for my sister's car (7 years old), but no extension for mine, so it looks like mine is going ahead, although everyone is telling me the centres are closed.

Ticked

https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax

Check here, wander44, 4 year old cars don’t get a written extension, it’s all online. You’ll probably find yours has been extended till November. 

rexel

same here car first mot up on 10 June Appointment date 24 June mot centre closed no letter nothing on gov web site

CEON44

Read the official statement but not sure exactly how it will affect me. My car is not due for MOT until November. Will I get an exemption or will tests be back up and running?

motorguy

CEON44 said:

Read the official statement but not sure exactly how it will affect me. My car is not due for MOT until November. Will I get an exemption or will tests be back up and running?

Latest info - "The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) intends to introduce "a phased return" of MoT and driver testing services in the coming weeks."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-53148658

shicky

So my MOT is due end of July, it was extended due to the issues with centres before the pandemic.  I'm slightly concerned this date will not be extended, is there an easy way to find out if it will or not?  5 year old car so was indeed through the MOT last year.

ballyblack

customers will be sent reminder letters with details of how to book a test at the appropriate time.

abc

shicky said:

So my MOT is due end of July, it was extended due to the issues with centres before the pandemic.  I'm slightly concerned this date will not be extended, is there an easy way to find out if it will or not?  5 year old car so was indeed through the MOT last year.

They are only opening test centres on 20 July 2020 for vehicles not eligible for an exemption.  They will not be working at full capacity due to social distancing also Belfast and Newtownards being closed.  There is absolutely zero chance that you would be able to get an MOT in July in your circumstances even if you wanted to, so they will definitely extend the exemption.

I'm not 100% in what way they will extend it, but my reading of it is that they will extend to 12 months from the date the last MOT expired.  So if for example your MOT was due in March 2020 but you got a 4 month exemption to July 2020, they will apply a further 8 month exemption in July 2020 meaning your MOT will be due in March 2021.

You can check your expiry date on the link below, but I would it expect to update until you are closer to your current exemption date (if not perhaps even just after).

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk