The essential rule
When is an MOT required?
Most cars, motorcycles and vans need their first MOT by the third anniversary of registration. After that, an MOT is normally due every year. You can check the exact date from your current certificate or online before you book.
Not every vehicle follows the standard rule. Some vehicle types are exempt, and historic vehicles can be exempt when they are more than 40 years old and have not been substantially changed in the previous 30 years. If a vehicle has a SORN and is kept off public roads, it does not need to be taxed or have an MOT while it stays off road.
Check the official MOT guidance and the MOT exemption rules if you are unsure which rule applies to your vehicle.
A free official reminder
Get an MOT reminder from GOV.UK
GOV.UK offers a free MOT reminder. Sign up with your vehicle registration and an email address or mobile number. For a car, van or motorcycle, the reminder arrives one month before the MOT is due; for a lorry, bus or large trailer, it arrives two months before.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you cannot use the online reminder service. You will receive a postal reminder seven weeks before the MOT due date.
Visit GOV.UK for MOT reminder signup and details.
RemindMe is separate from GOV.UK and DVSA. It can help you keep MOT and vehicle-tax checks alongside other household dates and reminders; it does not replace the official MOT reminder.
Check before it is urgent
How to check when your MOT is due
The quickest free check is GOV.UK's MOT history service. Enter the registration to see the MOT expiry date, past pass or fail results and recorded mileage. DVLA's vehicle information service is also useful for checking the vehicle's MOT, tax and SORN status in one place.
Keep the date alongside the other renewals you manage. That gives you time to book a test, deal with any advisory work and renew vehicle tax without a last-minute search through paperwork.
If the date has passed
What to do if your MOT has expired
Do not use the vehicle on public roads until it has a valid MOT.
There is a limited exception for driving to or from a pre-arranged MOT test. Make sure the vehicle is safe and insured, and check the official guidance for your circumstances.
Car tax reminder
Vehicle tax renewal basics
Vehicle tax must be renewed when it expires. You can pay yearly or every six months; Direct Debit also has a monthly option. If you pay by Direct Debit, it renews automatically, but it is still worth keeping an eye on the payment and vehicle details.
A valid MOT is normally needed before you tax a vehicle. GOV.UK can send or show official reminders depending on how you pay, while a personal reminder gives you an extra prompt before a deadline gets close.
Use GOV.UK's vehicle tax service to renew, and check the Direct Debit renewal guidance if that is how you pay.
Never miss the next date
Check today, then keep the next MOT and tax renewal in view.
Use RemindMe's free MOT and tax lookup with your registration, then sign up for ongoing reminders that fit around the rest of your life admin.