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  3. MOT and vehicle testing

A guide to booking your MOT/ vehicle test

You can book, view, change or cancel your MOT/ vehicle test appointment online.

Book as early as possible

As the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is experiencing high demand for its testing services, you may not be able to get an appointment before your existing MOT expires.

If this is the case, you must book the earliest available test appointment for your vehicle. The DVA have consulted with the PSNI and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to make them aware of the current situation.

The PSNI has agreed not to penalise drivers whose MOT has expired so long as:

  • your vehicle is in a roadworthy and safe condition and doesn’t have a statutory off-road notification (SORN) declaration
  • your vehicle is properly insured
  • you can prove (by showing an MOT appointment notification/ reminder, either in electronic or paper form) that a test appointment has been booked for your vehicle

All other vehicle roadworthiness and insurance offences will be dealt with in the usual way.

The ABI has confirmed that the lack of a valid MOT certificate would not necessarily invalidate a motor insurance policy. However they say that if you can’t get a test appointment until after the current certificate expires, you should check your policy documents or speak to your insurer.

These arrangements only apply in Northern Ireland. They do not cover you to use your vehicle without a valid MOT certificate in other jurisdictions.

Taxing your vehicle

If you need to tax your vehicle, you can do so as long as you have a valid MOT certificate on the date the vehicle tax is due to be renewed.

  • Check the date of MOT expiry 

If you need an MOT to tax your vehicle and can't secure a date before your MOT expires or you have been told by your insurer that you won’t be covered in that in-between period after your MOT expires, you should:

  • book the earliest available appointment
  • keep checking the booking system for an earlier appointment

If you get to within five days of the expiry date of your tax and you have been unable to secure an MOT appointment or your tax has expired, contact the DVA customer services team with the following information:

  • vehicle registration number
  • MOT booking reference number
  • preferred test centre

The DVA will contact you to arrange an appointment for your vehicle. You should make sure that you answer any calls from withheld numbers to arrange the appointment.

You should also make sure that your vehicle is ready for MOT before contacting the DVA.

If you drive an untaxed vehicle it can result in enforcement action by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea.

Booking your MOT/ vehicle test online

You can book your MOT/ vehicle test online.

Through the online service, you can also book a test for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and trailers.

If there is an issue with your online booking, you can email the online booking enquiries team, see the link below for the email address.

  • DVA - testing enquiries

Booking your MOT/ vehicle test by telephone

You can book a vehicle test by calling the booking line (with the exception of multiple vehicle bookings).

  • DVA - vehicle test booking contact details

Selection of MOT dates and times

Waiting times vary between centres and you may find you can get a test quicker at another MOT test centre.

Checking the MOT status of a vehicle

You may check the past results of a vehicle’s MOT tests online.

You can only get results for tests done since 2017 for vehicles tested in Northern Ireland.

If the online check shows that your MOT has expired you should book the earliest available test appointment for your vehicle.

  • Book an MOT/ vehicle test online

If you own a trailer you will be unable to check online and should contact the DVA customer services team with any queries.

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

You may check the past results of a vehicle’s MOT tests online.

You can only get results for tests done since December 2017 for vehicles tested in Northern Ireland.

  • Check the MOT history of a vehicle 

Vehicle roadworthiness

You should bear in mind that it is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition to be used on a public road. The PSNI and insurers expect you to meet their legal obligation to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition if you are using it on the road. 

You should look out for brake wear, make sure that all lights are working and regularly check tyre pressure and tread depth.

If you miss the MOT test

If you don't cancel your appointment and miss your test, you will lose your fee. You will then have to pay the full fee for another appointment.

You can select a test centre, and the date and time of your test.

More useful links

  • MOT and vehicle testing
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MOT and vehicle testing

  • A guide to booking your MOT/ vehicle test
  • About the MOT scheme
  • Book your MOT/ vehicle test online
  • Change, cancel or view your MOT/ vehicle test appointment online
  • Heavy goods and large passenger carrying vehicles
  • HGV tests - for businesses with more than 25 vehicles
  • Specialist vehicle tests, approvals and certificates
  • Taxi vehicle test
  • Trailers

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For queries about:

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    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

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