As HOAR revealed last night, people who need their cars to get work will not have to get their MOT done.
But vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for any essential repair work.
Drivers can still be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID19 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 get essential food and medicine.
“Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work.”
This measure could be extended if the shutdown is extended.
Driving tests were also ditched for the next three months too, the Government announced today.
Last week week MOTs in Northern Ireland were suspended for three months by the Driver & Vehicle Agency NI over the Covid-19 spread.
Key workers will still be able to get an MOT on their car during the lockdown.
Mechanics have been granted key worker status, while garages will remain open during the coronavirus shutdown, to enable people to keep going to work safely.
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said: “Garages can remain open. And that’s both for essential maintenance of cars to make them safe on the road, and providing petrol.”
Garages were specifically excluded from those businesses that had to close, but you should check with your local mechanic about what their opening hours are.
The DVSA has suspended testing of all heavy goods vehicles (HGV), trailers and public service vehicles (PSV) for up to three months and said it is keeping testing of other vehicles under review.
