A test version of a new government service has launched to remind drivers by text message and email when their MOT is due.
The GOV.UK service, developed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), makes it easy to get a reminder every year when your vehicle’s MOT is due.
When you sign up, you’ll get a reminder:
- 4 weeks before your MOT is due
- 2 weeks before your MOT is due, if you still haven’t had it tested
You’ll also get alerts that your vehicle no longer has an MOT.
You just need the vehicle’s number plate (registration number) and a mobile phone number or email address.
You’ll get a reminder every year until you unsubscribe.
The service is in ‘beta’ stage, which means it’s still being continually tested and improved by DVSA.
No excuse for forgetting
Research by DVSA has revealed that around 28% of cars will be overdue at any one time. Most of these are down to drivers forgetting to get it done, rather than deliberately avoiding having the test done.
If you drive a vehicle without a valid MOT, you’re breaking the law. The only exceptions are to drive it:
- to or from somewhere to be repaired
- to a pre-arranged MOT test
You’re also risking your own life and the lives of your passengers and other road users.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
Helping you keep your vehicle safe to drive
The 2016 reported road casualties report for Great Britain showed that roadworthiness of vehicles was a factor in 1,687 accidents.
Transport Minister, Baroness Sugg, said: We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking at ways to make them even safer.
“Booking your next MOT is easy to overlook but it plays an important role in making sure the vehicles on our roads are safe and meeting high environmental standards. Getting a text or email will serve as a useful prompt to make sure people get their vehicle checked out time.”
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you keep your vehicle safe to drive. The annual MOT checks that important parts of your vehicle meet the legal standards at the time of the test.
“Motorists should also remember that to be a safe and responsible driver, and reduce the risk of your vehicle’s condition causing an accident that kills or seriously injures someone, you need to check your vehicle all year round.”
Make sure that:
- brakes work smoothly and that the vehicle doesn’t pull to one side
- tyres are correctly inflated, have no cuts or bulges, and that they all have at least 1.6mm of tread
- headlights and other lights work – give them a tap to check they’re not loose or damaged and check the colours are correct and match
- windscreen wipers and washers work
- the driver’s view of the road is clear of any obstruction, such as stickers, toys or air fresheners
A new way of building digital services
The MOT reminder service uses GOV.UK Notify, which is a platform to make it easier to keep people updated, and help government service teams send text messages, emails or letters to users.
The government is creating a set of shared components, service designs, platforms, data and hosting, that every government service can use.
This frees up teams to spend their time designing user-centric services rather than starting from scratch, so services become easier to create and cheaper to run.
