Vehicle owners have been given an MOT reprieve with the Government announcing a six month exemption in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cars, vans and motorcycles will be exempt from needing a test from Monday (March 30) enabling drivers to continue to travel to work, where it cannot be done from home, or to shop for necessities.

Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work.

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.

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

Legislation will be introduced on Monday and will come into immediate effect for 12 months, following a short consultation with key organisations.

Drivers will still need to get their vehicle tested until the new regulations come into place, if they need to use it.

If you cannot get an MOT that’s due because you’re in self-isolation, the Department for Transport is working with insurers and the police to ensure people are not unfairly penalised for things out of their control.

Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses and coaches have been suspended for up to 3 months.