You can book your MOT/ vehicle test appointment online via the green link below. If you can't get an appointment before your existing MOT expires, you must book the earliest available appointment.
Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) – private cars only
From 1 June 2024, private cars that were first registered between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 or between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, and have a valid Northern Ireland MOT will be given a Temporary Exemption Certificate (TEC).
This means they will not need a vehicle test (MOT) for 12 months from the date their current certificate expires.
You can check your vehicle’s date of first registration in the vehicle logbook (V5C).
Having a TEC will allow motorists to continue to drive the vehicle legally, if it is kept in a roadworthy condition, is taxed and insured.
If the vehicle was first registered within the dates above and currently has a valid MOT certificate in Northern Ireland (not expired), you do not need to do anything.
If you have a vehicle test appointment already booked, and the current MOT certificate has not yet expired, you do not need to do anything.
The DVA will cancel your appointment, refund the vehicle test fee, and send an additional supplementary email with the new expiry date, along with the cancellation and refund receipt emails.
TECs will be given automatically. You will not receive a paper or digital copy.
You will also be able to check your MOT and vehicle tax expiry date at theVehicle Enquiry Service, but this record may take longer to update. The new MOT expiry date will be updated before vehicle tax is due.
A vehicle will not get a TEC if:
- the vehicle was not registered within the dates above
- the vehicle was registered within the dates above, but the MOT has expired
- the vehicle has a valid MOT, but was last tested outside Northern Ireland
These vehicles will still require an MOT and you should book an appointment.
If you are not sure if your vehicle will get a TEC or not, you can fill in thisenquiry form.
Types of vehicle tests you can book with this service
- MOT/ vehicle testappointment
- MOT/ vehiclere-test appointment (within 21 days of the full test)
- heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test
- light goods vehiclestest
- trailer test
- taximeter test
- vehicle acquittal - bookthrough the cars, motorcycles, light goods vehicles,HGV and light passenger carrying vehicles section
To booka vehicle test online you’ll need:
- the vehicle registration numberor for a trailer a C or NI number
- the last four digits of the chassis number
- a debit or credit card - Maestro debit cardis not accepted
- a valid email address
Book MOT/ public service vehicle (PSV) test appointment Change, cancel or view an MOT booking
You can change, cancel or view your MOT/ vehicle test appointment online
You can choose atest centreand the date and time of your test.
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.
If you miss the test
If you don'tcancel your appointment and miss yourtest, you will lose your fee. You will then have to pay the full fee for another appointment.
Taxis and buses
You can only book a taxi and bus test appointment after you have applied for a licence and the vehicle has been approved for testing by DVA’s passenger transport licensing division.
If you have a new class A or B taxi, they need a taximeter test, before you can book a vehicle test. A taximeter is also needed where a taximeter has been changed, repaired or if the seal is damaged.
For more information on how to apply seethe links below.
- Apply for a taxi vehicle licence
- Apply for a bus vehicle licence
- Taxi vehicle test
- If you are applying to renew your licence, you can check yourlicence expiry date by logging online to thetaxi and bus licensing systemor you will getthe expiry date on your vehicle licence reminder which will issue six/ eightweeks before yourlicence expiry date.
If you have a vehicle in one of the categories below, you can also book a test but you won’t receive an automatic reminder as these vehicles are notin the DVA system:
- vehicles not registered or not tested in Northern Ireland and due a test
- vehicles with MOT expired by more than 12 months
- vehicles currently declared SORN (only if the previous MOT has expired by more than 12 months or if the vehicle is now due its first test)
- buses due a first time test (not for ‘hire and reward’ use)
- first time taxis
You can find out how any personal information you send to the Department for Infrastructure (Driver &Vehicle Agency) when using this service will be handled by viewing theirprivacy notice.
For queries about this service, you can contact testing enquiries:
More useful links
FAQs
Can an MOT tester test their own vehicle? Yes, an MOT tester can MOT test their own vehicle, or indeed those of family and friends, however, the standards of MOT testing must be adhered to regardless of who owns the vehicle.
How do I make sure I pass my MOT? ›
Top 10 points to check to pass your MOT first time:
- Headlights and indicators. Roughly 19% of MOT's fail due to lights and signals not working. ...
- Brake lights. You can check your brake lights in one of two ways. ...
- Registration plate. ...
- Wheels and tyres. ...
- Seats and seatbelts. ...
- Windscreen. ...
- Windscreen wipers.
You are only allowed to drive your car when its MOT has expired IF you've booked in for the test and that's where you're driving to. If you're stopped on the way you MUST be able to prove that you have an appointment with an MOT centre.
What is checked in the MOT test? ›
An MOT involves dozens of checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system. It doesn't cover the condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox.
Is a MOT test free? ›
This depends on the type of vehicle. The maximum fee for a car is £54.85 and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle. You do not pay VAT on the fee.
Can I do my own MOT? ›
Put simply, no. Despite the increase in searches to do so, you can only undertake a valid MOT on a vehicle if you work at an approved MOT test centre.
What is the most common fail on a MOT? ›
Bulbs, indicators, electrical equipment: 23 per cent
According to the UK's DVSA (via research commissioned by eBay), the most common reason for an MOT failure by some distance is a faulty bulb, reflector or indicator.
What is a ghost MOT test? ›
A Ghost MOT is the practice of someone giving an MOT pass certificate for a car that has not undergone an MOT test. The car may not even be in the same county, or indeed, the same country!
How likely is my car to pass its MOT? ›
MOT fails and defects. The initial fail rate for cars, vans and passenger vehicles with up to 12 seats in is around 37%, so there's a fair chance you will find yourself in a situation where your car fails its MOT.
How much does MOT cost? ›
Cost of a car MOT test
The maximum fee that a garage can legally charge for a car's MOT is £54.85, with no extra VAT on top. Some MOT test centres might charge less than the maximum fee – with Smart Care you can get an MOT for £49.99 (£39.99 if you're an AA member).
Contrary to popular belief, there's no grace period for renewing lapsed MOT certificates. Driving with an expired MOT certificate is illegal and can result in fines and legal penalties. The only exception is if you are on your way to a pre-booked MOT retest or garage repair appointment.
How long does a MOT take? ›
Usually, your MOT test will last around 45 to 60 minutes. This means you'll be able to go about your day as usual and pop back to the test centre in no time to collect your vehicle once the MOT is complete.
What happens if you fail an MOT test? ›
Vehicles that fail their MOT are deemed unroadworthy and must not be driven on roads, with exceptions for driving to a garage. Driving without a valid MOT certificate is illegal and can result in fines, driving bans, and invalidated insurance.
Do MOT check oil level? ›
Is oil checked on MOT? Your steering oil level will be checked as part of the MOT. Your vehicle will need enough oil and fuel levels to carry out emission checks. So it will be worth checking this before taking your car to your MOT appointment.
Can I take my car elsewhere if the MOT fails? ›
If you want your car to be repaired elsewhere, you can still get it retested for free at the original test centre, as long as you return it before the end of the next working day. You can only take your car elsewhere if the current MOT certificate is still valid and the MOT test didn't report a dangerous defect.
Does an MOT tester need to be a mechanic? ›
To take an MOT testing course you must: have a current and full UK driving licence for the vehicle classes you want to test. be a skilled mechanic with at least 4 years' full-time employment servicing and repairing the types of vehicles you're going to test. have no unspent convictions for criminal offences.
Is an MOT tester a professional? ›
Current MOT testers are now required to undertake a minimum of 3 hours' annual training, to remain up-to-date with best practice methods. All testers must complete an MOT annual assessment, based on this DVSA specification, to maintain their professional status.
Who can calibrate a decelerometer? ›
Decelerometer calibration
Calibration of brake testers and headlamp testers will no longer be acceptable if completed by vehicle testing station (VTS) staff. Calibration can only be completed by either: the original manufacturer. a company that has taken over responsibility for equipment support from the manufacturer.
Who can assign a new MOT tester? ›
A tester is approved by DVSA after successfully completing mandatory training and assessments. The Tester is appointed to a VTS by their Site Manager/ AEDM / AED .
