Get an MOT for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or trailer
Overview
You need to get an HGV, bus or trailer MOT (also known as an ‘annual test’) for:
- goods vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3,500 kilograms (kg)
- vehicles that are built or have been adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle
- semi-trailers
- horseboxes with a gross weight of more than 3,500kg
- ‘A’ frame trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after 1 January 1979
- trailers with an unladen weight of more than 1,020kg with powered braking systems (instead of standard overrun brakes and as well as the required parking brake)
- all public service vehicles (such as buses and coaches) with more than 8 passenger seats - not including the driver’s seat
Check Form V112/G for a list of vehicles that are exempt from the HGV MOT. You still might need to get a standard MOT for the vehicle.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOT extensions
There are some changes to MOT tests because of coronavirus. How this affects you depends on when your MOT is due to expire.
HGVs and buses (including coaches) usually must be tested each year. The first test should be 12 months after the vehicle was first registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Trailers must usually be tested one year after they were first sold or supplied.
Because of coronavirus, the MOT for your HGV, bus or trailer will automatically get extended for 3 or 12 months.
If your vehicle or trailer is over 2 years old
Most vehicles will get a 3 month extension on the MOT expiry date. MOTs originally due to expire in March or April 2020 will get a 6 month extension.
If your vehicle or trailer is between 1 and 2 years old
You’ll get a 12 month extension.
If you hold an operator licence
You’ll get a 12 month extension, regardless of the vehicle age, if you hold an operator licence and one of the following applies:
- you’re a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) earned recognition operator
- you have an operator compliance risk score (OCRS) for ‘roadworthiness’ that’s green (you must have 50 or more events, and a calculated base score of 1.3 or less on 27 July 2020)
Check that the extension has been applied
You can check your vehicle or trailer’s MOT history to see if the extension has been applied and what your new MOT due date is.
New MOT expiry dates
The table shows the date your vehicle must now pass its MOT by, depending on the length of extension you’re eligible for.
HGVs and trailers are due by the last calendar day of the month. Buses (including coaches) are due on specific days of the month.
Month MOT was originally due to expire | New MOT due date (3 or 6 month extension) | New MOT due date (12 month extension) |
---|---|---|
March 2020 | September 2020 | March 2021 |
April 2020 | October 2020 | April 2021 |
May 2020 | August 2020 | May 2021 |
June 2020 | September 2020 | June 2021 |
July 2020 | October 2020 | July 2021 |
August 2020 | November 2020 | August 2021 |
September 2020 | December 2020 | September 2021 |
October 2020 | January 2021 | October 2021 |
November 2020 | February 2021 | November 2021 |
December 2020 | March 2021 | December 2021 |
January 2021 | April 2021 | January 2022 |
February 2021 | May 2021 | February 2022 |
March 2021 | June 2021 | March 2022 |
Buses and coaches due an MOT before September 2020
If your MOT was originally due between 1 to 23 May 2020, you cannot get a 12 month extension. You need to get an MOT by August 2020.
If your MOT was originally due between 1 and 23 August 2020, you can only get a 3 month extension. You need to get an MOT by November 2020.
What to do if you have not had an extension
Email DVSA if your HGV, bus or trailer did not get an MOT extension and your MOT expired.
You need to include your:
- name
- phone number
- address
- vehicle registration number (number plate), vehicle identification number or trailer ID
- test expiry date
Make sure your email has the subject heading ‘Test exemption error’.
If your vehicle tax is due
You still need to tax your vehicle if your tax is due during the MOT extension period.
If you’re transporting dangerous goods
You still need to apply for a waiver to continue transporting dangerous goods if you’re going to do so during the MOT extension period.
Before the test
You can get your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic to prepare for the test.
Get testing manuals for different vehicles.
You can also download a guide on how to check the roadworthiness of horseboxes and trailers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety
Because of coronavirus, you must clean the inside of your vehicle before your test.
This means:
- tidying unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets and seats
- wiping down the dashboard, doors and vehicle controls
Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if the vehicle is not clean enough.